I don't think rags like the NME have any editorial policy towards U2, as some of you are suggesting. On the contrary, I think such publications have no particular policy towards anything. The basic rule is: if it shocks people and sells copies, do it!
As far as U2 not being cool with British youth since 2001...? Er, they haven't been cool in Britain since at least 1982!
I like Mojo and Uncut's review sections, too. (My only beef with Uncut is the editor, whom I can't stand, and their all-male/all-old-men editorial board.) Those are good magazines. The NME is a rag, and Rolling Stone (which at one time I could at least respect in certain ways) is now an unreadable corporate whore.