week 6: propaganda; plato, chomsky

Propaganda

The systematic dissemination of information, often biased or misleading, to promote a cause or point of view, such as a political agenda.

Categories of Propaganda

1. lies (false statements)

2. spin (exaggerated or selective presentation of facts)

3. concealment (withholding true information).

Manufacturing Consent

The concept that media, owned by profit-seeking corporations, influences public opinion through filters like ownership, advertising, media elite, common enemy, and selective reporting.

Filters of Manufacturing Consent

1. Ownership by profit-seeking corporations

2. reliance on ads

3. dependence on official GOVT sources, the media elite.

4. fear of criticism

5. alignment with dominant ideologies. make a common enemy.

   1. all these influence media content.

plato’s noble lie

• Makes us feel like a family connected thru a common lie. 

• We need to convince the people that we all came from the earth, so that they need to pay the earth back by protecting it. 

• a form of propaganda?

pros of propaganda

• helps states deter an attack

• help states increase the success of an offensive attack

• help states gain membership to important international institutions (NATO)

• help states sign trade deals

cons of propaganda

• lying leaders are unlikely to get away with it in an interntaional system characterized by mistrust and monitoring

• lying leaders risk tarnishing their reputation, making them unattractive partners and allies.

noam chomsky documentary

• argues that propo is central to moden democracy, especially american democracy

• mainstream media is engaged not in truth seeking, but rather with “manufacturing public consent” in support of govt and corporate interests.