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The Forum > Article Comments > War by media and the triumph of propaganda > Comments

War by media and the triumph of propaganda : Comments

By John Pilger, published 11/12/2014

Why has so much journalism succumbed to propaganda? Why are censorship and distortion standard practice? Why is the BBC so often a mouthpiece of rapacious power?

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World War I ? Well, I'm glad that's over.

If only Bilger didn't over-egg his puddings so much, they might be worth taking seriously.

But I did like his Yevtushenko quote: "When the truth is replaced by silence, the silence is a lie."

So can we expect Bilger to ever get stuck into ISIS ? Or do we get silence ? Yes, I know it's anti-American, therefore sort of good, but even he might understand some of the nuances involved.

Yes, it's possible that the US beheads children, crucifies, executes unarmed prisoners by the hundreds, and rapes and enslaves women, while ISIS water-boards and freezes and starves prisoners at Guantanamo - in 13 years, one has even been killed ! - but ....... oops, sorry, got those mixed up :)

Joe
Posted by Loudmouth, Thursday, 11 December 2014 8:29:08 AM
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Since the media are all no-gooders, why not just close it all down and have the journalists do something productive instead?!
Posted by Yuyutsu, Thursday, 11 December 2014 10:39:03 AM
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A really good piece, thanks. The media's ability to influence is undoubtedly enormous, but the game is constantly being repeated and so over time, the outcomes of that influence become less and less predictable. Different groups are constantly trying to rewrite the narrative in their own ways and thereby create different games to suit their own agendas and there is little stability other than that which can be compelled by threat of power.

It is way past time we found our way to a better approach, which is mutual cooperation to achieve disparate ends based on informed and willing consent. The media is well-placed to help with that, the question is whether there is sufficient intelligence and goodwill within media to do so. The evidence is not encouraging.
Posted by Craig Minns, Thursday, 11 December 2014 11:09:10 AM
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[Deleted for abuse]
Posted by David G, Thursday, 11 December 2014 11:11:09 AM
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So, just out of interest, where does Bilger stand on ISIS ?

Silence was the stern reply :)
Posted by Loudmouth, Thursday, 11 December 2014 2:57:07 PM
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Item on that anti-ISIS capitalist lap-dog rag, The Guardian:

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/dec/11/jihadi-groups-kill-5000-people-in-november

Five thousand in one month. Ho hum. But look ! The vile US killed one bloke at Guantanamo ! B@stards !

Silence from Mr Bilger
Posted by Loudmouth, Thursday, 11 December 2014 3:39:03 PM
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