In our busy modern world, we're constantly bombarded with information from powerful sources. As Edward L. Bernays points out in his book, Propaganda, that these influences shape people's thoughts, preferences, ideas, and even how a democratic society is structured.
The media, government, and education system all take center stage sculpting our society and exerting their influence on public opinion. But what sets the media apart the most is its ability to shape our thinking. This is when propaganda becomes a trusty tool for the elite.
To define propaganda, we turn to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, which labels it as "ideas or statements that are often embellished or untrue, strategically spread to support a cause, a political leader, or a government". Frequently, in the realms of news media, language is crafted to serve a particular agenda. Sophisticated individuals can recognize the presence of propaganda in today's American media.
The art of propaganda often delves into dark realms. Fear and intimidation come to mind. The U.S. media has a reputation for deploying these unsavory tactics to create compliance. In a thought-provoking scholarly article titled Pedagogy, Film, and Responsibility of Intellectuals, the discussion delves deeper into this issue. Giroux argues, "War, fear, and a particularly venomous disregard for societal needs on the part of those in power have become dominant themes shaping both domestic and foreign politics in the United States". The more fear and anxiety that those in power can sow in a nation, the easier it becomes to manipulate the populace, granting them absolute control.
This widespread use of propaganda and deceitful information in the media are not in the best interests of the general population. Such practices bolster those in power, granting them even greater control. This perpetuates an unjust power system that favors the elite while disenfranchising the common person. Whether employed in business, politics, or media; persuasive tools can serve an unethical agenda, creating falsehoods or misleading ideas.
Securing Control over Essential Institutions
In a capitalist society, profit and the accumulation of money reign supreme, encouraged and even exalted within businesses and corporations. The early 20th century, marked by the Industrial Revolution and its aftermath, witnessed the rise of large corporations as the norm. Industries that had previously resisted, eventually succumbed to the lure of earnings, steering the United States in a new direction and influencing critical decision-making.
During this transformative era, ordinary citizens found it imperative to devise mechanisms to ensure that those in power conducted themselves with ethics and integrity. The role of honest journalism within the media became more vital than ever. In the book Understanding US Journalism– Corporate Control and Professionalism, the author delves into the three core responsibilities of journalism. He asserts, "Democratic theory posits that society relies on journalism to fulfill three essential duties: to vigilantly watch over the powerful and those aspiring to power, to distinguish truth from falsehoods, and to present a broad spectrum of informed perspectives on key issues". The author contends that journalism plays a crucial role in a democratic society, and it needed to keep the society from collapsing.
McChesney, however, talks about how journalism has fallen short of fulfilling its obligations. In his book, he concludes, "The system is not designed to foster quality journalism; its primary objective is to maximize profits for news media companies". According to him, the media landscape has deviated from ethical practices. Journalism and media has tangled itself up with big corporations, and their main focus now is money. This shift has led them prioritizing the interests of those who fund them, which is quite different from the journalism of the past.
The essential parts of society - education, politics, and the media - need to be protected. They're not just influential; they're actively shaping the way we think and what we believe. And as these institutions keep growing and gaining more influence today, the elites gain even more control.
The big question is: why do we allow power to be held by those who don't respect our way of governance?Why respect those who do not respect our way of life?