Doesn't this imply that what we're seeing today and calling tyranny is more free than what came before? (anyone can become an individual broadcaster)

Put another way - is this a case of the tyrannical calling the free tyrants? If Orwell or Huxley taught us anything it's that this how a state maintains its illusion/power - manipulating language and perception to make their control seem necessary/liberating.

I'd say no, because this new free world came from the old world, so the latter must have been free.