A few radio/TV stations used to control the minds of the masses. Before that, it was a few newspapers.
Now everyone has their own publishing platform, which has caused the narrative to fracture.
That said, those who manipulate the social media algorithms still control the frame to a large degree.
What you write is very interesting, as is the comparison between the past and present, as well as the handling of information in the current media.
AGI is still susceptible to manipulation, if not it's actual algorithms, then in how people are taught to believe in its potential and power.
Yes, soon it will be those who control the AI that set the narrative.
Good reason to keep it open source, with open data.