Good vs bad, media literacy & spot the trick 👀
How does our media-driven world polarise us with propaganda? And what part do we play in the consumption of such hate inciting content? Read on for insight, theory and most of all, hope.
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I woke up angry today.
Angry at the state of the world, angry at the violent men and women driven by hate fuelled by the media industry and powerful figures in politics. But I remain hopeful, and this post is one of hope - with a peppering of theory, education and ranting (obvs) 😉.
I’ve struggled to know what to say recently. As someone who studied media and communication, censorship, propaganda, and the theory of how we create, curate, and consume media, I’ve been noticing, watching, reading, pondering, and analysing what’s been going on. So many thoughts, and I’ve needed time to make sense of them in the hope that I can eventually articulate them here.
I’ve also been diagnosed with ADHD since my last article, and so much of my life has been validated, from the overwhelm I often feel to the extreme feelings of empathy I have always had. I’m an empath like many others, but emotional regulation is a constant work in progress. It can take me days to get over a harrowing video I have seen or an article I’ve read that’s caused me to feel deep pain for another human being.
It’s also the summer holidays, so I have been offline while I stay present with my little ones and make the most of the summer. (I used to work all the way through, but now my eldest is at school, I welcome the time off work.)
Anyway, that’s why things have been a bit quiet around here lately. Now onto todays article/lesson/rant…
In one of my most recent articles, I talk about the power of knowledge (see below), the importance of sharing our knowledge with others, and how, as media consumers, it is our responsibility to stay active in our consumption, to question, examine, and dissect everything. Because, believe it or not, “fake news” isn’t something that just comes out of Trump’s mouth. It’s right here, in the UK press, and it’s not going anywhere.
Where does that leave us?
Well, the last few weeks should give you a pretty good indication of what happens when people believe everything they read, the tabloids stir up hate, the politicians poke the fire, and the narrative plays into the government's goals of creating a movement of racism and fascism because it supports the idea that “immigrants must leave our country” and “they’re costing the tax payers millions” *as the same thugs burn down libraries and cost the tax payers way more than any immagrant they know*.
So what’s been happening recently, and where does that leave us, the good guys?
Firstly, the “good guys” statement was a trick. That is part of the problem. There’s no good vs. bad, right vs. left. As long as we see it this way, things will never change.
The Good vs Bad fallacy
One of the most insidious effects of propaganda is its ability to polarise society into "us vs. them," good vs. bad, right vs. left. This binary thinking simplifies complex issues and encourages division. Social and political issues are nuanced and require us to engage with them in a more sophisticated manner. Seeing the world through a binary lens prevents us from recognising the shared humanity that transcends political affiliations and backgrounds.
To move forward, we must embrace a united front composed of diverse voices from all walks of life. Our strength lies in our ability to connect on a fundamental human level and understand that our collective well-being depends on mutual respect and empathy. This means engaging in open, honest conversations with those who hold different views and finding common ground that allows us to work together for the greater good.
Propaganda & the Media
Propaganda influences public opinion by spreading biased or misleading information to promote a specific agenda. It shapes ideologies and can fuel hate movements. One key theory is Cultivation Theory by George Gerbner and Larry Gross, which suggests that prolonged exposure to media portraying certain groups as threats can normalise prejudice and make harmful ideologies seem acceptable.
The media landscape today is rife with propaganda, where information is carefully crafted to shape public perception and maintain power structures. It is crucial to understand that propaganda is not just blatant lies; it’s also about how facts are presented or omitted to create a certain narrative. This is evident in the way stories about immigration are covered. Immigrants are often portrayed as threats, as invaders who come to take jobs and benefits away from "hardworking citizens." This portrayal fuels xenophobia and nationalism, making it easier for politicians to pass restrictive and harmful policies.
But these headlines can be more subtle too.
Take the most recent headlines from the BBC. The language used downplays the violence of the rioters and shifts the blame onto black or brown individuals, as if their skin colour is the issue. This narrative creates further division and frames it as a race war, rather than plain racism, fascism and islamophobia.
The theory of propaganda explains how the repetition of simple, emotionally charged messages can create powerful narratives that resonate with people's fears and biases. It’s a technique used by many right-wing movements to galvanise support. By framing immigrants as "others" and scapegoats for societal problems, they divert attention from the real issues of inequality and systemic failure.
Media Literacy: The antidote to misinformation
In this climate, media literacy is our most potent tool. Being media literate means being able to critically analyse the media we consume and recognise bias, propaganda, and misinformation. It involves asking questions about who created the message, what their motives might be, and what perspectives are being left out.
For example, when encountering a story about immigration, consider who benefits from the narrative being pushed. Is the focus on crime and economic burden? What voices are missing from the conversation? Immigrants themselves often don’t have a platform to share their stories, and their voices are drowned out by sensationalist headlines and political rhetoric. Which is why I follow accounts such as Choose Love, Asylum Speakers and Freedom From Torture to get a more rounded view.
Practising media literacy also means seeking diverse sources of information. Follow independent journalists, read publications from different parts of the world, and engage with content created by marginalised communities. By broadening our media consumption, we can gain a more nuanced understanding of complex issues and resist being manipulated by fear-driven propaganda.
Here are a few of my favourite people and organisations to follow on Instagram at the moment:
Misan Harriman
Asylum Speakers
Parents for future
Cheer Up Luv
Choose Love
Freedom From Torture
Eliza Hatch
Fight for a future
Colourful activist
Otherbox
Novaramedia
Everyday Racism
Sarah Sultan MP
Who else should I be following? Please let me know in the comments below 👇
Channelling your anger into action
Our anger at the state of the world can be a powerful catalyst for change if we channel it constructively. Anger can fuel activism and inspire us to stand up against injustice and oppression. It can motivate us to join or support movements that work towards social justice, equality, and inclusivity.
In recent years, we’ve seen a surge of hopeful movements and grassroots organisations fighting against the tide of right-wing extremism. These movements are often led by young people and marginalised communities who have had enough of the status quo. For exmaple, initiatives supporting refugees and immigrants are emerging worldwide, offering legal aid, shelter, and advocacy to those in need. (See a few of these featured above).
Moreover, environmental justice movements are linking climate change with immigration, highlighting how environmental degradation disproportionately affects vulnerable populations and drives migration. By connecting these issues, activists are building broader coalitions and fostering solidarity across diverse groups.
Also, for the parents out there, did you know, research has shown children with even slightly activist parents are more mentally healthy, have a more positive view of the world and future, and do more about it. (Source: The complete secrets of Happy Children by Steve Biddulph.)
Staying active as media consumers - if you believe it all you’re a pawn in their game ♟️
Staying active as media consumers means not only being critical of what we consume but also being proactive in shaping the media landscape. This involves supporting independent media and journalists who are committed to truth and accountability. It also means using our platforms, however small, to amplify marginalised voices and challenge harmful narratives.
Social media can be a powerful tool for activism, but it requires careful navigation to avoid echo chambers and misinformation. Engage in discussions, share verified information, and challenge misinformation when you see it. By doing so, we can help create a more informed and engaged public, ready to hold those in power accountable.
The power of hope & collective action
In times of great uncertainty and division, hope can be a radical act. Hope fuels resilience and empowers us to envision a better future. It reminds us that change is possible and that we have the power to shape it through our actions.
As we confront the challenges of propaganda, misinformation, and political extremism, let us channel our anger into collective action. Let us strive for a world where empathy and understanding triumph over fear and division. By staying informed, questioning narratives, and actively participating in movements for change, we can build a more just and inclusive society for all.
This is our moment to rise above the noise, to reject the simplistic narratives of division, and to embrace the complexity and richness of our shared humanity. We owe it to our black, brown and muslim brothers and sisters and anyone else who feels marginalised in this country, to speak up and protect those who have been failed by western media and politics.
Together, we can transform our anger into a force for good and create a hopeful future for generations to come.
You with me?
Now, to take action:
Enhance your media literacy: Educate yourself and others on how to critically analyse media content to recognise biases and propaganda, avoiding misleading or harmful narratives.
Challenge binary thinking: Move beyond simplistic good vs. bad or right vs. left mentalities by engaging with diverse perspectives and understanding the complexity of social issues.
Promote inclusive narratives: Support and share media that celebrates diversity and unity, and advocate for stories that foster empathy rather than division.
Engage in constructive dialogue: Facilitate open conversations with people from different backgrounds and viewpoints to build mutual understanding and reduce stereotypes.
Support responsible media and broader perspectives: Back independent journalism committed to truth and accountability, and follow international journalists and refugee voices to gain a broader view of global issues and support diverse perspectives.
RESOURCES
Thanks for reading! I’d love to hear if this has resonated with you. Drop a comment or hit reply. (Hearing from you is genuinely one of the highlights of my day.) 🫶
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THIS! Thank you Lara for speaking the truth with acute words and raising awareness. I'm with you!