I think what the comment is saying is that the job is not taken seriously by reporters. White canes are a reference to props used in old-timey vaudeville acts

I think what the comment is saying is that the job is not taken seriously by reporters. White canes are a reference to props used in old-timey vaudeville acts (?). https://youtu.be/zgwG5wA5s3Y https://youtu.be/zgwG5wA5s3Y The whole thing makes no sense to me in connection with the article.