It's not just that the mainstream media spikes stories that they don't agree with politically, which is bad enough, but they broadcast rumors. People I work with seem to think that if it's on TV, it's true, but stories I pass on from FR are suspect. As you alluded to, I think the opposite is true: threads are vetted almost immediately by FR members to the point where I can make a fairly sure decision on the truthfulness of the post. It never ceases to amaze me the things that many people DON'T know!
Lest I come off sort of arrogant, I don't put myself near the class of those freepers like OKCSubmariner who gather so much detailed information on subjects of interest. And I don't cleim to know all that much - as I've said many times, "I'd like to know just ONE THING for sure before I die!"