The Media The Press and TV play a role of indoctrination and training of public opinion of
the people, seen as mass, of paramount importance to thought control apparatus of the
modern capitalist state. Firstly through soaps, series, contests, sports ... They take the
time for reflection and connection with your equals. Makes 100 years that we had to
entertain themselves to talk, go to a dance, do theater, play a musical instrument, read
... television not only reduces discontent by providing distraction, but also keeps us at
home. The journalists frighten and threaten people with lurid news, and intend that the
common people identify with the privileged through reporting on fashion and military
parades, coronations, weddings, baptisms, funerals, sports victories, great events ...
Also modeling language and convey a standardized language.
Second, the media distorts reality and create public opinion states. What is not reported,
does not exist. In 1975, Cambodia was in the hands of the Khmer Rouge communist
dictatorship. Around one million people were murdered. The international press echoed the
capitalist subject, the daily news communicated what was happening and documentary films
were made ??... Any western knew what was happening in Cambodia. While the Indonesian
army, an ally of the United States, invaded that country rises blessing the former
Portuguese colony of East Timor. The atrocities were the same, the number of dead and very
similar planned and systematic genocide, the population decimated and replaced by native
Indonesians. Do not say a word.
Similarly, the press and television prepare the environment for the Yugoslavian civil war,
to invade Afghanistan or Iraq. Or to create fear about some brutal and morbid crimes, to
sell more Coke, or to inculcate the love for the Corinthians or Palmeiras (or your team
idolatry), for fast cars, nonfat yogurt or by certain underwear. In contrast disqualify
dissent anticapitalist, which is painted with anachronistic, anti-modern, violent and
obsolete.
's the great powers who exercise the monopoly of communication and that can educate the
"masses". The opposition can do just ridiculous efforts. What are the 10,000 copies of
this magazine compared with hundred thousands of copies daily in the bourgeois press, its
television stations and their radio stations?
( based on the book Anarchism Basic Anselmo Lorenzo Foundation, first part here
http://anarkio.net/index.php/libr/268-anarquismo-basico-1 )
Home »
» (en) Brazil, Anarchist journal Aurora Obreira #25 - Means of Social Control - The Communications Media by Anselmo Lorenzo (pt)