mosherose, believe it or not, not everyone is meant to be a gadol in the same area. If a big well-known gadol would read a newspaper thats one thing (and I dont really think its wrong but just to go along with your opinion for a minute) and if someone who would be reading something they shouldnt, theres a very big difference. The second one is probably getting more schar for reading the newspaper than the gadol is for not. (assuming there is actually something wrong in the newspaper) I dont think making blanket statements benefits anyone in the long run.
