> But even if they didn't, surely news organizations would co-operate for a noble cause, yes?

As privately run corporations, news organizations go where the money is and I trust them even less than I trust the government. The number of ignoble causes they have cooperated on in the recent past leaves them with a very large credibility gap in my mind.

And while the government is not perfect, at least I live in a country where lobbying (aka bribery) is no where near as institutionalised and prevalent as you see in the U.S.

So while my government might not always have my best interests at heart, they are definitely more concerned and more trustworthy than a news organisation.