...but if you control the media, or a major portion of it, you can simply overwhelm those who try to publicize the truth by disseminating misinformation. If you control the courts, you can simply remove through legal action (if not outright terrorism) those who contradict the lies. And if you control the culture, you can simply make all objections to the party line anathema to the general public by associating them with irreligious or unpatriotic activities and ideologies. Most important, if you control the political apparatus, you can reinforce those controls so it becomes increasingly difficult, if not downright dangerous, to counteract the lie. Jackbooted thugs are no longer necessary, have you been to any school board meetings lately?

Evidence and scientific method has nothing to do with it.

The twentieth century worked out all the technologies and procedures to implement this scenario. Look at how many outright Big Lies are now routinely accepted by substantial portions of the population in spite of abundant evidence to the contrary. And even more important, consider how many individuals and institutions do not even remotely believe these Lies, but still actively promote them because it otherwise furthers their political, economic or cultural agenda.

Follow the money. I agree that it is highly unlikely (for the reasons you point out) that Rob's hypothetical scenario would ever materialize, but if someone could devise a way to make it promote their wealth or power, it would quickly become inevitable.