Crikey.com has a great list of journalistic clichés. Here are some of my favourites.
Excerpt:
Flamboyant: Homosexual
Controversial: He did something bad but we're not sure what
Scandal-plagued: Guilty
Confirmed bachelor: see "Flamboyant"
War-torn: We can't find it on a map
Knowledgable observer: The reporter
Knowledgable observers: The reporter and the person at the next desk
According to published reports: We got scooped
Embattled: He should quit
Couldn't be reached for comment: the reporter didn't call until after 5pm
Unclear, uncertain, unknown at press time: no one will tell us
