why is the New York Times, along with other news sources writing articles mocking Yahoo Answers & its users?

Links to some of these 'other news sources' would be interesting?

Because it is a mong board.  For mongs.  To go monging on.

That is to say, let's be honest, we are a surprising bundle of cnuts

Because it’s full of trolls and uneducated chavs like me and you who are good cannon fodder for mockery for those with an education and class (which none of us on YA have otherwise we wouldn’t be on here). They are amused by us fools. Quite right too. Where are my underpants? Oh here they are on my head. Quack quack, jibber jibber, quack quack. my old mans a dustman etc. 

I read the NY Times every day. Where are these articles you refer to. I haven't seen any?

A day later (4/8), I saw the article. It really doesn't capture the flavor of YA.

Because Yahoo Answers is an awful question and answer service. Although it was good 15 years ago, it has gone downhill. It has been awful for several years. People come here to troll, and to push their political or social views. They do so without caring to consider viewpoints of those who disagree. Any question, answer, or comment that supports their view is good, no matter how well or poorly expressed, no matter how well or poorly thought out, no matter how well or poorly supported by reason, supported by facts, supported by evidence. It is like people come here to display their stupidity, their bad faith, their worship of their opinion. It is like they worship their own stupidity. 

One news article I read said that Answers was hurting Yahoo's brand.

Because they're part of the Establishment who fear the truth!

i don't know and don't care.

to stir up anger

Simple, it's because right wing racists like you deserve to be made fun of.