The following video from the SouthFront geopolitical research group provides a very detailed and smart look into how information is ascertained in the new age of information warfare. It highlights groups that the US media utilizes for information related to war zones. These unaccountable NGO groups, such as The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR-a one man 'group' in London) and Bellingcat (a clearly biased geolocation researcher named Elliot Higgins who works for the Atlantic Council and RUSI in the UK - a Whitehall affiliated anti-Russia organization) have been the main information sources for the US media when it comes to war for the past 4 years
The video is quite revealing as it delves into who finances these groups and for what specific purpose, as well as how they allow for disseminating information without accepting any responsibility or being held culpable for intentionally disseminating misinformation. Thanks to these outlets, government and media have given themselves plausible deniability, thus allowing them to say whatever fits their pre-determined agenda. The video provides quite fascinating insight into how these deceptive propaganda techniques are being carried out.