[rlmorel]

Here is the real problem:

The researchers no doubt view approved sources of information by Google/YouTube/Twitter/FaceBook as “Truth”.

And it isn’t. It is THEIR version of “Truth”. They shape and manipulate information to suit their needs, pain and simple.

[Jim Noble]

Yes, they shape it, as you say, “to fit their needs”, which now include the “needs” of the funding source.

Instead of money laundering (so 20th century!), we now have fact laundering.

[glennaro]

They have also -- quite successfully I should add -- been able to characterize anything that deviates from what they generate, distribute and desire as "misinformation" (in contrast to considering it as, say, a "reasoned counter argument").

While this tactic may produce short-term results, in the absence of critique by and consideration of contrary viewpoints it is doomed to failure ... just hope our Republic and Constitution can survive that long while under incessant attack.