A state trying to convince it’s people of x political belief isn’t an inherently bad thing. Going “oh this is propaganda” is a really bad way of trying to delegitimize a narrative. Like… no shit? Who cares that it’s propaganda? Point out what’s actually wrong with it
It’s the most effective form of propaganda, convince people that propaganda is bad, and all those other groups do propaganda, but our group just tells it like it is.
The easiest people to con are those who think they’re in on the con.
Assuring the average imperial core denizen that they’re a uniquely freethinking rebel who would never fall for propaganda has gotta be one of the masterstrokes of imperial propaganda.