re: Scientific/cultural consensus?
The problem is that some people think 1984 are directions for how to improve society instead of a dreadful sfi tragedy which was already unfolding when book was published in '59.
What does Free Press mean to the twits. Of course means a press controlled by a govt.
And what is propaganda? Naturally it is anything that private citizens might say if not under strict supervision. And of course the only way to prevent propaganda is by the govt controlling the press. I mean if you can't trust an objective body which is concerned about the public welfare, who can you trust?