I believe it is more a function of technology.

The introduction of writing allowed the propagation of systematized ideology in the form of religious texts like the Old and New Testaments, the Koran, etc. The printing press and increased popular literacy added to the ease with which new ideas can arise and spread.

Today we have mass media and digital communications, both literal and electronic tied together with an almost intantaneous network of communications devices and infrastructure. As the freedom to communicate increase, so does the cost decrease. In the twentieth century, particularly, the rise of Communist and Fascist political propaganda and commercial advertising, the techniques were perfected. It was almost inevitable.

Yeah, I'm tempted to put the blame on American anti-intellectualism and commercial infatuation, but its happening all over. You could even say it is an inevitable result of the growth of freedom. The more people are allowed to speak, the more likely they are to lie, and the special interests will exploit the ecosystem to promote their own agendas. The only way to completely eliminate the Lie is to impose an Official Truth.