All the average investor needs to know how to do is sell their shares and in four simple steps the media person/short seller makes their money:

1. Media person shorts stock

2. Media person tells viewers stock is worthless

3. Viewers holding stock get nervous, sell shares

4. Stock price goes down, media person cashes in.

I do think it is a bit unfair to say they need to hold their investments in a blind trust, but definitely agree that disclosures about their positions should clear and abundant.