And I hate that the term “propaganda” doesn’t really have a meaning, because a lot of inauthentic people can really abuse the language is a result. People inherently want to avoid bias, and they certainly want to avoid propaganda, so the ones who have the advantage are the ones who can define the words.

This is something Orwell himself might have said. The word “propaganda” used to be neutral, and still is in some European languages (meaning “political communication” basically). But sure, it’s now mostly an empty slur in English.

The problem with writing off “state media” is that, de facto, much of the best journalism that remains is by state-owned publications. Because if you follow the money, there’s no escape from bias. The billionaire-owned media is billionaire-biased. Other media is advertiser-biased. Even reader-owned or cooperative media will have the biases of the kind of people who pay for that kind of thing. There’s no obvious remedy except to be aware of the biases and try to get a varied diet. And also - this is my uncynical side talking - to trust in professional journalists to do their job conscientiously just as one would trust one’s lawyer or plumber to do theirs.