Coordination between reporters and politicans

In an article from CBS Philadelphia reporter Chris Stigall talked to former CBS news reporter Sharyl Attkisson on the trouble reporters have to deal with while covering politicians and the government. The story essentially discussed how most of the questions being asked at the White House press briefing are prescreened and deliberately chosen ahead of time. The article also states how it is more and more difficult for reporters to get controversial stories on air because of the "trouble" it may cause.
This article caught my attention as a result of attending the talk by Dr. Dan Reitter. Last week Reitter discussed the importance of having a press that doesn't blindly follow politicians and White House administration. Reitter suggested that the press needs to always question politicians, and this article claims quite the contrary is actually occurring.