‘Fake news’ is the latest catchword describing manipulative and false stories that are presented so real that many people believe them. Published on TED February 6, 2015
Investigative journalist Sharyl Attkisson shows how astroturf, or fake grassroots movements funded by political, corporate, or other special interests very effectively manipulate and distort media messages. The result is none other than brainwashing – stupefaction of the people – or, as it is so wonderfully called in the German language, ‘Volksverdummung’. This applies in particular when such fake news is believed and then widely shared on social networks, with the outcome possibly being detrimental to society.
The whole point of astroturf is to try to get the impression there is a whole lot of wide-spread support for or against an agenda when there is not.
Thanks to Amari
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