Dictators manipulate public opinion through control of information

"As dictators themselves have known best at all times, even the most powerful dictatorship crumbles if the support of opinion is withdrawn. This is the reason why dictators are so concerned to manipulate opinion through that control of information which is in their power." ~ Friedrich August von Hayek, an Austrian economist and philosopher (Law, Legislation and Liberty, Volume 1 (1973), Ch. 4: The Changing Concept of Law)