I guess there is a more relevant foreword, yeah, but the main thing is that as a phrase I find it more precise and recognisable than 'inventing reality'. I love Parenti, and his strength is making things easy to understand from a common sense perspective, but that's my problem with 'inventing reality' as a phrase - used in conversation or academically, it's a combination of words that people from all sides of the political spectrum use for different reasons. Manufacturing Consent is a clear definition tied to Chomsky and his left-ish base.

It's worth reading both really. Open a mind in conversation with Parenti, then bring in the big term from Chomsky once you've got them where you want them.