Final answer:
Urban legends are narrative tales that often convey lessons or warnings, known for their adaptability and resilience against fact-checking. The Internet has facilitated their rapid global spread. The news media faces criticism for its rush to publication and lack of editorial oversight, with calls for more diligent fact-checking and responsible reporting.
Step-by-step explanation:
Urban legends often carry a lesson or warning and are characterized by their memorable storytelling, plausible details, and ability to tap into common fears or concerns. The difficulty in disproving urban legends lies in their nature of being constantly modified, with the stories passed down and adapted to fit modern contexts, making them resilient to fact-checking. The Internet has greatly accelerated the spread of urban legends, enabling them to reach a global audience quickly and to be shared widely on social media and forums.
Critique of the news media stems from a mix of increasing pressure to publish quickly and the minimal effects theory and the cultivation theory, with the former suggesting the media's limited impact due to personal conversations and the latter arguing that media can shape perceptions by setting norms and defining reality. With the speed of Internet news, errors can be more common, and the distinction between fact and opinion can be blurred, leading to criticisms that news media should aim for more editorial oversight and accuracy. This is especially important in the current landscape where readers can be easily misled by false information or 'fake news'.