Well I wouldn't say it's as good as the best Conversation articles, which I find are the ones written by a team of academics about a new piece of research they've published. But I thought it was quite typical for one of their "lighter" pieces. Certainly I don't think there's anything inherently wrong with it or that it's part of some media conspiracy.
Prices rise regardless of whether they're discussed or not. If it makes you feel so uncomfortable then just don't read articles that are obviously about cost-of-living like this one.