Interesting observation, though there's an explanation which suggests itself.
Under Soviet Bloc regimes, propaganda was an instrument of the state, and was emitted through state organs, such as Pravda and Isvestia, Russian for "truth" and "news", leading to the Soviet-era ironic quip: there is no truth in Pravda and no news in Isvestia.
That is, the principle mechanism for avoiding propaganda was to ignore the "mainstream press" under such regimes. Which would suggest putting more faith in alternative sources and the rumour / gossip channel.
Whilst there remain issues with mainstream media, even in non-authoritarian states, it's far more often the alternative media and (largely online) gossip channels which now serve propaganda. This is a case where previously-useful adaptations now prove poor guides.
Under Soviet Bloc regimes, propaganda was an instrument of the state, and was emitted through state organs, such as Pravda and Isvestia, Russian for "truth" and "news", leading to the Soviet-era ironic quip: there is no truth in Pravda and no news in Isvestia.
<https://www.nytimes.com/1996/07/31/world/russia-s-purveyor-o...>
That is, the principle mechanism for avoiding propaganda was to ignore the "mainstream press" under such regimes. Which would suggest putting more faith in alternative sources and the rumour / gossip channel.
Whilst there remain issues with mainstream media, even in non-authoritarian states, it's far more often the alternative media and (largely online) gossip channels which now serve propaganda. This is a case where previously-useful adaptations now prove poor guides.