The logistics of running a galactic internet are... intense. Even at lightspeed, google searches would take from minutes (same solar system) to millenia (farther away). The only way it could work is if it was allowed to pass through the hyperspace portals or whatever, which I'm sure the Empire had more or less control of. Keep in mind, in modern China, North Korea, etc. most people don't know the truth about some historic events. It's actually somewhat likely that the Empire would censor this information.
In truth, however, this can be attributed almost entirely to Lucas's admittedly non-existent planning for the saga.