[supernova87a]

The only purpose of this "story" is just like the goals of Russian-fueled (or whoever) fake planted news -- to confuse and prevent people from having a clear understanding of what's going on.

You advocate for allowing unsubstantiated news to be spread just because it fits into your view of what China admittedly has done in the past?

Couldn't this story have been spread by the protestors to get people on their side with fake motivations?

[markdown]

> You advocate for allowing unsubstantiated news to be spread just because it fits into your view of what China admittedly has done in the past?

I didn't say that. My comment was about your reaction.

> your view of what China admittedly has done in the past?

My view? The past?

> Couldn't this story have been spread by the protestors to get people on their side with fake motivations?

That very well could be. And if so they should keep that up. A Beijing supporter being upset about fake news and propaganda is giving me the giggles.

[supernova87a]

I'm no Beijing supporter. I would hope that anyone, regardless of what they think about any country or place, respects that news should contain the truth and not open themselves up to manipulation regardless of which side it favors.

[yorwba]

In that case you could have left out the "My god, what are we spreading here?" which seems overly dramatic to me.

You could also have substantiated "This is pure conspiracy theory through "news" sources that have highly dubious credentials." by expanding on what makes those news sources so dubious they deserve scare quotes, since not everyone will be familiar with them.

Attributing the actions of one user to the whole community as in "HN shouldn't be fueling this kind of unsubstantiated speculation." isn't great either.