If that is the case (and I don't know if it is or isn't), then it speaks more about the sad state of today's journalism than art.
It does say something about the state of art
market though.
I mean, if you, say, read that a picture of cat's feces taken with an iPhone had been sold for $5m, would you be willing to bet some serious money it didn't happen? I know I wouldn't.
And journalists? When I think of journalists in situations like this, one scene from South Park's Two Days Before The Day After Tomorrow comes to mind:
Journalist: We are not sure what's going on, but we're reporting that there is looting, raping, and cannibalism.
Guy in the studio: Oh my God, you actually saw people looting, raping, and eating each other?!!
Journalist: No, we're just reporting.