Some non-protein coding DNA produces RNA which serves a purpose. We also know that there are large areas of non-coding DNA which are very important for transcriptional regulation.
But it remains true that there are large amounts of non-coding junk DNA which is under no selection pressure. It may be important for spacing out sections of DNA or it may just be along for the ride after being incorporated by ancient splicing errors or viruses. It's just frustrating to keep reading this articles about how, "it's not junk after all," when it has been known for decades that DNA/RNA have many non-coding functions and it has also been known for decades that there truly is "junk" DNA.
But it remains true that there are large amounts of non-coding junk DNA which is under no selection pressure. It may be important for spacing out sections of DNA or it may just be along for the ride after being incorporated by ancient splicing errors or viruses. It's just frustrating to keep reading this articles about how, "it's not junk after all," when it has been known for decades that DNA/RNA have many non-coding functions and it has also been known for decades that there truly is "junk" DNA.