It can be as simple as reading the WikiTravel article about the country. Doing the slightest amount of cursory research beforehand will clue you in. The journalist has been there before, so it is safe to assume he is in the know. It seems like resisting the urge to write the most trite garbage imaginable was too much for him. The articles he wrote have been written countless times before, so what was the value in his visit?

Mostly life experience, I would say. Through experience one knows that managing opinions of other people is part of keeping one's position in society (e.g. being the big boss). One also experiences that these opinions others hold are based on the messages (or news) they receive. Therefore controlling the press is important to maintain power. Therefore nothing is more pain in the ass to a government than the reporters of differently typed governments. Especially reporterts from directly declared enemies and from governments that are much better at controlling the news than oneself. Think about the guy in the office who exploits people all the time but for some reason the majority always seems to like him. Now think about him badmouthing you in front of you and others. Wouldn't you feel forced to react somehow?