I just want a solid reporter to just confront them: "Are you a moron, ignorant, lying to yourself, or lying to us? Because either one of these is bad."

He’d just use his standard response of “i nEEd to sEe tHe DatA” But also seeing the data is not the same as reading and comprehending the data, and making decisions that are informed by said data, which is what the job entails

Exactly. By saying that, he admits he's ignorant. If we show him the data (of course, said reporter needs to be prepared for this) and he doesn't understand, he's a moron. If he understands but still spouts bullshit, he's lying to himself or to us.

Or blasting an airhorn would also work