If the DoD (and other agencies, and for that matter government(s) in general) were more upright and transparent about what they were doing and why it was necess

If the DoD (and other agencies, and for that matter government(s) in general) were more upright and transparent about what they were doing and why it was necessary and why it was in the best in the best interest of those funding it or being asked to sacrifice for it, there would probably be much less incentive and opportunity for disinformation in the first place. Deception and corruption and cover ups lead to mistrust. Mistrust leads to misinformation. You can't try to put the toothpaste back in the tube at that point. You must be trustworthy from the beginning, even if it's easier to deceive, even if "people are too dumb to get it", even if none of the choices are politically nice sounding, even if really bad mistakes have been made in the past.