The mainstream media would never admit it, because they don't want us realizing our power to create new reality branches. Humans create branches all day long. They just manage to get us creating the dull, stupid grey-sci-fi realities that suit them. They want a Dystopian Kiddy-Diddling Dutch Disneyland.

NPC actors would be told to downplay any speculation about disappearances...

But if you say to one of them "Are we in the Matrix? where did 30% of people go, did we get a server update?" They might smile mysteriously, then change the subject...

Most NPCs open up if you ask the right questions, in the right way.