「句1」 it is a pity that journalists are't a tenth as good at receiving criticism as they are at dishing it out.
令人遗憾的是，新闻记者很善于批评别人，而却很不善于接受别人的批评。
这句话理解的关键是“not a tenth as good at……as……”连十分之一的程度都达不到的意思。不能准确理解，就可能译错。
「句2」这地方周围都是树丛，一股清澈的溪流从旁边流过。
the place was surrounded by clumps of trees，with a clear stream running alongside.
后面一句是一种伴随状态，可以译作前一句的状语。
段子：
政府领袖与民间沟通交流的管道是双向的。亲民形象能使政策更容易传达，政策能更全面地推行；另一方面。亲民形象能“广直言之路，启进善之门”，广泛而不同的民意，有助于为政者对情势全面的了解。亲民的形象能使民意的反馈更为通畅。
译文：
a leader who has an image of being close to the people can get them to better understand and accept a new policy.on the other hand，the people will be encouraged to speak their minds when the leader is open to constructive suggestions.the public will be a lot more forthcoming with their views.
“广直言之路，启进善之门”的意思就是接受不同的意见，这能理解的话，就不容易翻译错。还有“通畅”和道路的通畅不一样，这里指能得到更多的反馈。