The development is not entirely new... The Cold War worked in exactly the same way; even in earlier times, entire societies were manipulated, moulded and influenced in this way. In addition, in the past, when there was still real, upright journalism, people studied for a long time and learnt things like evaluating statistics, tracking (and protecting) sources, checking plausibility... Today, anyone who can publish a YouTube video calls themselves a journalist. Propaganda, whether intentional or out of ignorance, is one of the most damaging phenomena that can affect a human community. It always has a destructive and lasting effect.
You're absolutely right — this kind of manipulation isn't new at all. Whether done knowingly or out of ignorance, propaganda remains one of the most toxic forces in any human society — corroding trust, fuelling division, and leaving behind deep scars.
And to this, let me add — what about the role of so-called journalism that now thrives on war-mongering, hate, and venom? If you could just hear the theatrics… it's terrifying how similar our languages are, yet how utterly alien the intentions sound. One so-called anchor, on their national television, kept screaming all night that he wanted to hear the screams of Pakistanis. "I want blood," he shouted. I mean, how is this journalism? Yes, media has always had biases — I’ve known that. They push certain narratives. But this level of vileness? This utter moral collapse? I swear I’ve never witnessed anything like this before.
It's left such a bitter taste in my mouth. The illusion of a “friendly neighbour” has shattered completely. I’ve developed a deep aversion to that side — not out of hate, but out of sheer disillusionment.