Are we really this gullible?

I stopped being amazed a while back at how gullible we apparently are as a society. For example, think about how often we're told by our news organizations about a "recent study" that show's (gasp) how a diet rich in fresh fruits and vegetables and low on red meat and other fatty foods, combined with moderate daily exercise, actually results in a healthier life style--UNBELIEVABLE!
Unbelievable not only because it's presented as "new information", but because most of us have known this stuff since we were old enough to read the label on a box of Captain Crunch. Does the media honestly think we're this ridiculously gullible? Do newsroom executives actually find themselves saying, "Hey guys, I've got a super fantastic and unbelievably great idea for a story--let's run one about the recent study done by (insert the name of your favorite research institute or university here) that shows how eating responsibly and exercising daily may actually help people live healthier and longer lives." Wow, what a break through!
Here's one last thing to think about: the only reason AMC stopped making the Gremlin is because people didn't buy it. If we stop buying crap as news, they'll stop pushing it on us!