I do not really follow certain media outlets, rather original sources, like rebel statements etc., and conflict analysts on Twitter. Still I like for example "The long war journal", "War is boring" and Aljazeera. I assume you mean by "I don't believe what the media tells me" that you're questioning what they present, and that's basically what everyone does, or should do.
Sputnik is for me clearly a means of propaganda, if I look on their website start page, all headlines are directly accusing the "West" or the USA of doing something, whereby no mention of Russian/Iranian crimes are found.
RT is maybe a bit less severe, but the same. You said they're providing proofs, but I never came across that. For a period of time I was following their YouTube channel, and in one of their news broadcasting on the siege of Madaya, they said for example that "rebel snipers are shooting people who want to evacuate the area" and they "do not allow anyone to leave". Maybe I should follow their content more regularly, in order to get a clear image of them, in comparison with other sources, but I really do not have the least trust for them.
If one says they are anti-west and give only anti-west news, i agree 100% with that statement if somebody says that. However that is EXACTLY what i want to know. As i am living in the west, the criminals that are in the government don't tell me what kind of criminal activities they are doing, so that is why i go to RT and Sputnik. About rebel news, i often have also my doubts but besides that i am not a native Arabic speaker. To give you an example, the white helmets, those guys are being promoted to show objective evidence and such, however i do not look at what they show, i look at who pays them. In this case, we see very clearly who pays them...being the west. So if i pay you, you obey me. But thanks for providing other sources, i will be looking in to them, because CNN, BBC, reuters..those news outlets, those guys really try to keep you occupied with most nonsense things there are. Just like sheytan trying to occupy you with nonsense stuff to prevent you from praying and other important things. These guys do exactly the same. Keep you blind for the their criminal activities.
Read this article, then you will see how big of a criminals they are.
How to avoid The Hague: UN’s most borrowed book is about war crime immunity:
https://www.rt.com/news/328157-un-library-popular-crimes/
Off course this kind of news about such a mentality will not find the civilians..Go read the article...
YPG are left extremist terroristس, and the Turkish Army (TSK) is fighting for the interestس of a secular, nationalist state. I am admitting this, and I do not support the Turkish Army. But like I said, as of a merely Muslim perspective, the Turkish Army is more preferable, as they're leaving the areas to rebels, who then establish local elective administrations. Whereby the YPG oppress arab tribes, suppress political opposition and incorporate women into military units against there will. There is an analysis by the Washington Institute, where this aspects are mentioned as motives of arab tribes in Raqqa to prefer IS, despite their brutality and despotism, against the YPG. That analyisis is written based on interviews with tribesmen conducted covertly in IS held territories in Raqqa. There are also some Amnesty International reports on YPG displacing local people.
Although i am a Kurd and i am a Muslim, i trust YPG MORE than the Turks. Why? Because the war the Turks have with so called YPG and PKK, is false. They are in war with Kurds in general, however one has to pay to little details. So as Kurds we have been betrayed by many who call themselves Muslims..being Arabs, Turks or Persians. Turks however are the MOST nationalistic among them. Also, Persians themselves are not that happy with the government, the Arabs are also not that happy with the government so in both the case, many are awake of what is going on. However Turks as a people are as blind as one can be, they believe whatever the government says. Like i have said in different posts, i do not like Gulen for a bit ..as there is no difference between Gulen-movement or AKP-movement..as both of them follow nationalism. However truth is truth and coup was done in such a poor manner, that every person who's eyes are open and asks questions will see that it was rather a false flag, instead of being a real coup. Yet, the Turks like sheep..beeeh..follow everything that Erdogan says.
Besides that, they use people to the top. Some people have at least some principles. For example Saudi Arabia, ..criminals, but still have principles about their mentality. The Iranians,...criminals..but also have principles to some extend as you see for example with them clearly objecting the Zionists. Turks however, have no principles WHATSOEVER. Western countries for example have same mentality as they also have NO principles whatsoever. People who have no principles, are dangerous. Why? Because today they are your friend and tomorrow they are your enemy. As Muslims we must have principles and our principles are Islamic principles to never betray our own Muslim brothers. The Turks so called "helped" FSA, but it was rather to prevent the Kurds joining their cantons and had nothing to do with ISIS or so. All the Turks care about is nationalism. Their principles are nationalism, however i was even amazed by this..when Erdogan apologized to Putin for downing the jet. The Turks would sell their body so to say to the highest seller. There is no different between a prostitue and Turkish government. I first though it is because of secularism in the time with Kemalists being in power, however even a party that claims Islam..Islam..Islam..i have lost all respect. With that also helping ISIS, because ISIS was killing and attacking YPG. While it is very clear that in Islam we know the Khawarij and what we have to do with them..yet the Turks supporting them.
Any ways, if some Arab tribes rather want to be under ISIS or Turkish rule, it is their choice and i have nothing to say. However if there are Arabs and Kurds that want rather be under YPG rule, also i say it is their choice and i have nothing to say. However to me right now Turkey tries to conquer places YPG has conquered and the people being happy under their rule. For example as far as i know with Manbij is under YPG rule and the people there happy to be. Yet Turkey wanting to conquer it..for their own interest.
So that is why i say, Turkey is nothing but trouble in my eyes. The current problem that are being created are done by Iranians and Turks. Almost forgot about it, i get through Kurdish news some news about Iran. Off course i am not saying you must agree with me that i see Turkey as terrorists, but just think about what i am saying. It isn't based on some feelings.