When you come across mainstream news outlets declaring something 'debunked' or dismissing certain narratives as 'conspiracy theories,' what actually goes through your mind? It's worth pausing to consider the mechanics behind media verification and fact-checking processes.

The question isn't about accepting or rejecting these claims outright—it's about understanding how information gets vetted in the first place. Who determines what counts as 'debunked'? What standards are applied? Are there legitimate questions that mainstream coverage might overlook?

Critical media literacy means not just trusting institutional narratives, but also developing your own frameworks for evaluating credibility. Look at the evidence directly. Examine the reasoning. Cross-reference multiple sources. Sometimes the most important part of the story isn't what gets mainstream attention—it's what you discover when you dig deeper yourself.