In defence of Orwell, there is really nothing to substantially indicate that mass media (social media included) operates independently of government. In fact, it seems to me that the mass media services government in a highly coordinated way. But, of course, correlation does not imply causation, and I can't tell whether the media is following government orders, or government is following media orders, or whether both are following some third party's orders.
Or whether the correlation is purely co-incidental. 🤣
