Propaganda

The first objective of a totalitarian is to cast doubt on information.

“Don’t believe the journalists! They are biased and dishonest.”

“Don’t believe the experts! They are all corrupt. They spread misinformation in order to sell books.”

“Don’t believe people that society once respected. They are now enemies of the state, secretly scheming secretly to overthrow us as soon as they get the chance.”

“Never trust outsiders! They have come here to take what is rightfully yours. They are the most villainous enemies of all.”

“Believe only in the leader, the party, their official spokesmen and their most steadfast supporters. Even if what they say sounds outrageous, believe it! It’s true! It’s the real truth, the good news, the alternate facts. Everything else is a lie. Everyone else is trying to trick you.”

This is how the insidious influence propaganda sweeps through a nation and reduces the population to obedient drones, well-meaning, functioning people who have lost the ability to think critically and who will believe any lie that the cult leader claims to be true.