They had a blind spot. They were so enamored of their academic credentialism and firm grip on media narratives that they completely ignored the one thing that could tear them down.
The internet
They were too late in realizing the volume of information being shared across national borders, age groups, and economic statuses. They dismissed the internet as "fat losers living in their mom's basement covered in Cheeto dust!" By the time they understood the danger, it was far beyond their ability to stop the Noticing. This is ultimately why they want to censor the net today, but it's gone far beyond their grasp.