To put matters into an historical perspective, there is a fascinating report here from a British MP in 1929 into falsehood and propaganda in the First World War. All the usual suspects are there, from crucified soldiers to mutilated nurses and the sinking of the Lusitania.
It just shows how little some thiings have actually changed; lies are thought up up armchair warriors and politicians, desseminated by the media and the poor bastards who have to deal with the consequences are those in uniform.