Journalists and spies have same core skill: get information out of people. A good journalist already has a chance of getting hired as a spook just on that basis. Press passes also get people in various countries and places someone claiming to be a spy wouldn't be allowed in. So, many journalists did work for CIA etc. The CIA also creates news organizations to serve its propaganda and provide cover as journalists for spooks. Very common. I'm sure MI6 does similar stuff with journalists but I have no data.
Putting aside most journalists are not spy material, investigative journalist are basically spies - they're actively watched and recruited too.
During WW2, 22 journalists in America were spying for the Soviets; by profession, this was second only to engineers.
Today, given the heavy surveillance of investigative journalist, they basically have to use the same trade craft that a spy would use to maintain operational security.
