PsyOps main job is convincing occupied peoples that the occupier is their friend. One of the ways they do that is by taking photos of bags of rice being handed out. They also actively work to spread (dis)information.
http://theconversation.com/the-manipulation-of-the-american-...
The British army information warfare unit also famously runs the BBC radio relay station in Cyprus providing access to the Middle East and parts of Asia.
Don't close your mind just because you know of one instance of the thing being discussed; you anchor yourself to a specific point in time.
Person with zero experience lecturing someone who actually performed the role, in service of the country, is such a HackerNews thing.
Bonus points for referring to their real-life experience as "somewhat relevant".
But please, tell me more about what a "HackerNews" thing this is.
The real manipulation of a population is being undertaken at levels so far outside that military structure, its almost unrecognizable.