Avoid a Web of misinformation.

Before you take the advice of any mainstream syndicated columnist, take a look at the publisher, then take a look at who owns the publisher.

The Columbia Journalism Review has a database of media ownership at its website.
http://www.cjr.org/resources/

You can google "Who owns CNN?" or "Who Owns ____." Then go to the link above and look at what else is owned by the parent company.