Does anybody know why the media keeps wrongfully stating that Whitey Bulger influenced "The Departed"?

Actually you are a little off here. While you are correct that the film was indeed based on the Hong Kong film, Scorcece twisted it a little. Frank Costello is not supposed to be Whitey Bulger exactly, but he is absolutley inspired by him. Scorcece during an interview said he based his character off inspirations to whitey.