Why not both? The word propaganda is a bit problematic as it encapsulates too much these days simply because our information landscape is much richer. It can be a valid issue that is amplified by bad actors and it's still propaganda.

What makes it apparent imo is the "water use" discussions around data centers which frankly are so delulu that it reeks of artificial stimulation. If you're not familiar there's basically no water use issue with data center in any meaningful extent other than moving water and we solved moving water 2 millenia ago.