Newspapers set the conversation of the day once upon a time. Then Radio. Then TV. Now that people get their news from another source, at far more accelerated rates, and with questionable authority, sprinkle a little bit of AI on top, and well - the only way to verify something for yourself is with your own eyes.
Or, to corroborate things from numerous sources, and find out what makes sense and what doesn't.
We are all capable of being our own detectives now. Some just choose to not apply basic research methodology.
Unfortunately, all too many are choosing not to apply basic research methodology. Or , to them basic research methodology is just accepting whatever their tribe says.