Does state-controlled source of information create stability?

I came across a very insightful post while researching for independent media in China. It asks a really good question: does controlled source of information create stability (as the government put it) or instability?

This post argues when people don't believe in the information that comes from the government, any rumors could have easily gone viral because people have more trust for these rumors than the mainstream media. Most of the times these rumors are not true and it becomes very difficult for the government to do damage control.

I have never really thought about the importance of independent media in this context, which is their roles in maintaining social order and stability. I doubt same thing is happening in the U.S, but when people's faith in mainstream media has really dropped to a certain point, society is definitely more susceptible to social unrest and turmoil.

Independent media does more than reporting the news.