An important point oft missed is that media reporting is done solely for ratings - “truth” be damned.
In truth they are a business so rewarded for higher ratings. This is not new, or news. Over the years there have been multiple events where fact checking was not diligent enough and blatant false news was reported. In the past this has resulted in several high profile reporters losing reputation and lucrative jobs (Dan Rather formerly at 60 minutes?).
If media can edit clips and whip ppl into a frenzy they’re thrilled.
If events can be explained by ignorance, low IQ (not the same thing), and editorial sloppiness, that is preferable to me before ASSuming some massive conspiracy. News is always trying to attract attention by harping on personal fears like tainted public food supply, random violence, natural disasters (including man made disasters), etc. TV news is all about the visuals, and invasive interviews of people suffering personal loss, when they should be given sympathy and space.
What’s sad is we still don’t seem to realize how badly they play us - even us around here.
Even worse the talking head opinion leaders (spinners), say everybody but them are lying... which usually means they are lying. It used to be relatively easy to fact check questionable stories, but now there are so many self-described fact checkers we need to fact check the fact checkers.
One way to apply market intelligence to fact checking would be to have a gambling site where you can bet on the veracity of news stories. These are not infallible but would more accurately gauge public sentiment when they vote opinion with their own money.
The truth is often boring so why not make a scene?
I am disappointed that we have so many different news outlets all reporting the same one or two stories, sometimes even copying reporting mistakes made by each other. There is a lot of real (important) news going on around the world that routinely gets ignored.
Even worse IMO is how news media appears to be taking sides in political disputes. There has always been some subjectivity in reportage but not like today in my experience.
Trust but verify everything (including me).

JR