Engaging in wild character assassination (ie. spewing hate on the internet) in return for emotional upvote validation...I would argue is a great example of what you just described.
I don't doubt you've convinced yourself you're commenting these things altruistically.
But remember, when high school girls spread rumors that the good-looking popular girl has loose morals, they aren't doing it out of concern for public good.
They're hoping to elevate their own status by tearing down the competition, and avoiding the pain of comparison by placing themselves on a higher moral pedestal.
You’re comparing transitory conversations on a forum to a project with proven negative impact which was banned in multiple countries, and serious investigative journalism to teenage gossip, while ascribing twisted motivations to strangers on the internet.
That you would start from the assumption that someone’s motivation for a comment is not their opinion but a desire to farm meaningless internet points is bizarre. I have no idea if that’s how you operate—I don’t know you, I wouldn’t presume—but I sincerely hope that is not the case if we ever hope to have even a semblance of a productive conversation.
At the expense of and with complete disregard for others, while telling them I’m doing it altruistically for their own good? I don’t, no. Do you?