In last week’s class, I briefly mentioned Herman and Chomsky’s propaganda model, which is explained in their 1988 book, Manufacturing Consent (link). StFX’s library has this book.
The model states that a democratic country’s corporate media produces pro-elite propaganda, due to five market-based and institutional filters:
1. Ownership
2. Advertising
3. Sourcing
4. Flak
5. Ideology
Like every model, this one has flaws (eg. Ideology is somewhat arbitrary), but I like its economic rationale, and think that it captures some fundamental empirical truths. Nonetheless, I enjoy a good debate, and look forward to some of you disagreeing with me!
THE ECONOMICS OF VIOLENCE 