>>110332371Doing heavy research prior to publishing a story means you very likely wont be the first to cover it. 4chan is not at all a mainstream thing so people with no knowledge of what it is need context.
And this isn't anything exclusive to mainstream media. A LOT of people are like this on an individual level, which is why you read so much hot garbage on literally every social media platform, especially on 4chan where anonymity means you can be a dumbass without consequence. Every site has their cesspools because their stock, i.e. the human race, is filled with people who value entertainment and validation (even if it lacks any real association with yourself - anonymity) over a genuine and well thought out discussion.
