>>How do you know what you are not being told if you were not there, or unless you have not studied the facts of the matter from all perspectives?<<   Observer.
Our past (and present) gives us numerous examples of those in positions of power manipulating the media by twisting reality and hiding/ignoring important information, among other crimes. We are at least more aware of this nowadays, partly because of the increase in different types of media.

In the past ballads have been used in a similar way, but at least many of them, give a different point of view, even if that can also be distorted. A man in the street can write a ballad but he can't influence what is printed in the national press or what is spewed out by the BBC.

>>Only some of the people.<< Okay I meant the common people, those not in a position of power.

'Whistleblowers' are still treated abominably by the powers that be.