[Boogieman]

“using unwitting dupes to tell a fantastical story”

Why assume they are unwitting? Most government mouthpieces are quite willing to spout whatever the government wants them to.

[RoosterRedux]

This isn't coming from the government. These stories are coming out despite the government's attempt to destroy those who tell them.

This is the reason Congress has passed legislation to protect whistleblowers from the government.

BTW, the DOD has a program to investigate UFO's and to listen to whistleblowers (AARO--All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office). But whistleblowers are scared of them. AARO and the DOD are distrusted by everyone.

Whistleblowers are going directly to Congress (mostly to the Republicans in Congress).