The comments here have entirely changed my mind (cheers for that). I totally agree with you now. I've also cringed at journalists using too much vernacular (so

The comments here have entirely changed my mind (cheers for that). I totally agree with you now. I've also cringed at journalists using too much vernacular (so I was obviously being a hypocrite in my first comment; shame on me). And you are absolutely correct - in professional reporting, clear language should always be used, not colloquialisms. It makes for much clearer and unbiased reporting.