I'm not sure anyone is being swayed by Bill Gate's opinion. Who is pushing the idea that he is an expert, or that expertise is even required to have an opinion?
Uh the media... I mean he's everywhere being interviewed constantly on what his opinion is on everything. This obviously promotes the idea (right or wrong) that he has some idea of what he's talking about.
The media also interviews Kanye, Elon, and the cookie monster because they are celebrities but that doesn't mean we have to believe what they say.
I think it is reasonable to think that bill gates has some idea what he is talking about, especially because in this case he is essentially saying 2+2=4. Still, he is not the definitive authority on crypto.
It has nothing to do with whether WE HAVE to believe what they say. It has to do with the fact that their status gives their words more power. Whether YOU personally believe them is irrelevant. Many people DO take his words for fact just because of who is and that creates an issue. This is exactly how celebrities sway public thinking on many issues and then down the road certain politicians get voted in and then what you believe and actual facts take a backseat to the policy the majority has voted on.
If your primary point is that mainstream news isn't educational, then I agree. Most news is entertainment, pure and simple. The more people realize this and the sooner, the better.
My point was that celebrity status gives the appearance of truth. People like Bill Gates that have tons of money and are famous are able to sway more people. Whether they're experts or not doesn't matter because their fame will convince many people of what they're saying.