To the point of paid journaliists.
The media isn't paid well, not nearly as good as other career options (depending on where you are). It's because journalism (magazines, TV shows and web sites) are expected to pay for a service for free. They need to pay salaries, buy equipment, operate their business. This money has to come from advertisements.
Advertisers, marketeers, PR folk are constantly paying less because there are abundant channels to pick from (web sites, magazines, TV channels) to promote their brands. There's someone who'll accept little to do the same job. The concept of an 'advertorial' is fading. Advetisers know their agenda gets diluted / ignored by using advertorials, so they've found a marketing gimmick to do the same - promote their content through legit channels and that's what we see. This is what earns them their bread and butter.
When journalists look at other media houses getting a piece of the pie (big exclusive breaks, perks and good relations with big names), they want it too, so they become more willing to do so. We as consumers of journalistic media aren't willing to pay them neither do we don't want the ads either.
As a society, we're only getting 'cheaper'. Perception owns more importance than reality. We love what we consume, it stimulates us what politicians say, what products we see our stars eat, drink, use. Advertisers and media provide what is demanded.