The public shock was palpable because it has been hermetically and journalistically sealed off from any negative reports on the Bidens. Biden was left unchallenged in ridiculous claims like “no one has suggested my son did anything wrong.” https://thehill.com/opinion/judiciary/529938-has-the-media-finally-awaken-to-hunter-biden

...As with the Trump-Russia collusion story, the media was coaxed to buy into a false narrative. Reporters became so invested in the denial that they couldn't afford to acknowledge growing evidence of possible wrongdoing...

...If Hunter Biden and his uncle did conduct a global influence peddling scheme, these reporters were at best dupes and at worst enablers of a coverup, so the story could not be true...even if it is true.