Every human has an intense need to know. People like to know where they stand in other people’s eyes. They like to know the progress they’re making or not making towards their goals. Everyone wants to understand the consequences of every situation they are involved with. And yet, most people don’t know and suffer the consequences.

In the absence of reliable information, speculation reigns. In the absence of answers, speculation accelerates.
When they don’t know the real information, people supply their own answers. In these instances, imagination can run rampant.
This is very fertile ground for a others to take advantage by planting false information. This is particularly true in today’s environment where information is very readily obtained.
Unfortunately both politicians and the media know this and exploit this to their advantage.