The idea of a good tyrant, who uses censorship and propaganda for the good of his subjects, goes back to at least 2400 years to Plato's philosopher king.
Which reminds me that I still need to finish this book: https://www.amazon.com/Open-Society-Its-Enemies-Spell/dp/0415237319 nostr:note1cgg6kwnct4k83tk2qnv6wg4qypegks27dyn6893l4ece39mkamustuak5t