All media is opinion manipulation. You could even stretch that to say that all communication is opinion manipulation.

Highly respected and highly ranked mass media sometimes publish outright lies and made up stories, completely knowingly. Because they are in the business of manipulation. So you have to trust your gut, and verify if something smells strange. Many times it isn't even possible to verify, as for much of war reporting.

There will never be a time when there will be an absolute guarantee of anything. Not as long as there are people.