This chapter examines the decline of traditional mainstream media as a reliable source of objective information amid the rise of pervasive disinformation and propaganda. It argues that the media, increasingly driven by profit motives and influenced by government funding, has shifted from objective reporting to the construction of dominant narratives that serve elite interests. Drawing on Orwellian imagery and historical examples, the chapter illustrates how information has become indistinguishable from propaganda, eroding the credibility and independence of established outlets. Concurrently, the rapid expansion of social media platforms has disrupted traditional channels, offering both alternative avenues for independent journalism and challenges such as algorithmic echo chambers and fake news. The chapter also explores the concentration of media ownership, the decline of investigative reporting, and the resulting suppression of dissent, as exemplified by the controversial prosecution of Julian Assange. Ultimately, the chapter calls for the development of personalized, trustworthy information networks to counterbalance the monopoly of state- and corporate-controlled narratives and restore a healthy, democratic public debate.