"I do not think there is much evidence that misinformation has become more widespread, that this increase in misinformation is due to technological change, or that it is at the root of the political trends liberals are most angry about. If anything, people seem to be better-informed than in the past"

I agree. Who has the truth? Government or media? Or neither?

What has become worse is the centralised control of information. Which then leads to those centralised sources complaining and publicising of the issue.

On the other side, you have governance structures that require the legacy media to support their messaging, as the govern the populace.

Both work hand in hand - one provides the message the other the megaphone. In the past 2 years, the government has bankrolled the largest campaign in history, and the media have been willing recipients.

Complaining about misinformation however, works for both parties - it provides a self-supporting justification their actions.

Truth and faithfully representing reality has very little to do with that "virtuous" circle between media and governance.