It might sounds churlish to criticise those earnestly reporting on an important issue or even to criticise the good intentions of these self-styled saviours of the poor and uneducated, but Jamie Oliver's recent comments expose an uncomfortable truth; pity breeds contempt.
"In 2013, the commission earnestly published a report on the 2012 elections in which they made suggestions as to the improvement of elections in Tower Hamlets.
The young reporters nodded earnestly.
A classmate of mine earnestly explained how he had read a report by Colin Powell about a "privately recorded" phone conversation in which Iraqis were reportedly taped saying "we have the weapons"; this all sounded very dubious.
Like the broadcasters busily looking for transportation, hotels, stadiums, phone numbers, press conference briefs and practice schedules as they prepare for their news reports, my Chinese team is earnestly awaiting the opening ceremony on August 8.
Nobody who has aspirations of leading the Green Party to victory writes a book called I'm Only Being Honest... in which he earnestly wonders whether the UK needs a "booze report" to investigate how much benefits claimants spend on alcohol.
President Hamid Karzai called on American-led forces to apply themselves more earnestly to avoiding civilian casualties and to check intelligence reports more carefully before taking offensive action.
As Spain and the United States searched earnestly and unsuccessfully for a diplomatic solution, the Navy, on March 21, reported that an external explosion, presumably from a Spanish mine, had destroyed the ship.
Despite tensions, the report said West Baltimore residents also expressed "a deep respect for police officers, and earnestly desire that relations can be rehabilitated".
My wife's book group stayed late into the night, listening earnestly, capping each other's comments with sharp but respectful dissent (I know this from reports and from having snuck down the stairs to listen).
