A state trying to convince it's people of x political belief isn't an inherently bad thing. Going "oh this is propaganda" is a really bad way of trying to delegitimize a narrative. Like... no shit? Who cares that it's propaganda? Point out what's actually wrong with it
The easiest people to con are those who think they're in on the con.
Assuring the average imperial core denizen that they're a uniquely freethinking rebel who would never fall for propaganda has gotta be one of the masterstrokes of imperial propaganda.