My thesis is that with decent mass adoption, statistically you would have reliable rating scores.
I put here an analogy with Poker. Knowing the game, odds probs and tactics you will always in the LONG RUN, have profits. you may handed with a shitty cards or get screwed in the flop, but overtime, the system works.

Same applies here.

system could have moderators to control bots or drama queens as you explain. Although you risk to be manipulating peoples opinion. risky there.

In my opinion, you only need mass adoption to achieve good rating level. as another analogy, think on reviews on Amazon. Yeah first reviews of a new product are normally family or friends. But overtime you will get reasonably good/fair rating.

The problem here underlays in the trouble of gaining peoples attention to value/content website. and demystify the legacy media for once and for all.

Having Google/facebook and big techs blocking you may be a hurdle. hands down. But I tell you, when I want to read the news I type in the banner directly the website I want. I don't go to google, or search engines. You know where you want to go.

The idealist wonder here is> dont we feel obliged to do something? Are we letting it happen? I cant go to sleep when I think about it really.
There has to be a formula. There has to.