Why does it have to be a binary? It's possible to have freedom of speech and a well run nation. In fact, of China are doing as well as you all seem to think, they have nothing to worry about with criticism or mockery since they can point at their record to disprove it.
Clearly academic education doesn't mean common sense. Like I say, that misinformation was available in other countries, but people weren't doing it. Maybe it's a US issue rather than a misinformation issue?