Freepers have always historically required verifiable sources ("source please."), which is more than you could say about the MSM ("unidentifiable source.").
You're correct. Still, I have often wondered if forums like FR are immune to the time honored political art of planting. You still see this in so called town hall candidate nights. Numbers of totally unfamiliar faces asking questions of the candidates. All supposedly from the community, and few who could give you directions to anywhere in the area.
I would think the anonymity of boards, particularly well read boards, would be susceptible to "planting". It would seem a great way to try and discredit the likes of Free Republic.
I agree 100% - I've seen more requests for a source for a story than I ever hear about the slime media.
I refuse to call the media MSM anymore - because they DO NOT REPRESENT THE MAIN STREAM of public opinion at all.