How News Is Used To Manipulate People
Sylvanus Maria Mgbechukwu, Researcher, Poet, Author, Activist, Administrator and Writer, is the founder of Direction Initiative (D.I.), and BestAdviceForAll.Com, a forum and platform dedicated and committed to Rectitude and Truth, where people could find Illumination, Direction, Sound Advice, Guidance, Inspiration, Tips, Assistance, Support Or Help, to guide them in this “modern” world that have become a dark jungle and forest of dangerous ideas, philosophies, learning, lies, propaganda and miseducation that sink or ruin unenlightened people.
News, simple and seemingly harmless as it comes, has been instrumentalized or weaponized. This is a tragedy. Ab initio, the media started as a very important part of the society, informing and helping to educate the public. To the credit of the some organizations especially the media, tyrannical power was kept at bay, or banished, more or less. Back then the media was loved and celebrated as the watchdog of the society, helping to do away with dictatorial powers or governments. As “the price of liberty is eternal vigilance”, the media was elevated as the “fourth estate of the realm”.
However, as time went on, and the evil hand of dictatorial power, in fighting back, got ideas and began to reach out to mingle and establish a cordial relationship with the “watchdog”. In time, an unholy alliance of the watchdog and dictatorial power began to develop to the detriment of the society.
Thus, the news, with its power to inform, educate, and shape public opinion, began to be wielded as a tool for manipulation and propaganda.
In the run-up to the 2016 American presidential election between Hillary Clinton and Trump, as well as that of 2019 between president Trump and unpopular Joe Biden, news was roundly used by several news media organizations to mislead, misinform and manipulate people into seeing Trump as a bad guy, in order to get people to reject him at the polls.
There are several ways in which news are used to manipulate people. Below are some of the typical ways news and information which ought to be objective, fair, unbiased and untainted by the prejudices, notions, opinions and agenda of those reporting it, are used to manipulate the public:
⦁ Selective Reporting
Manipulative news outlets often selectively report facts or events in a biased manner to advance a particular agenda or narrative. By cherry-picking information that supports their preconceived beliefs or biases while ignoring or downplaying contradictory evidence, news sources can distort reality and manipulate public perception.
⦁ Misleading Headlines and Framing
Sensationalized headlines and framing techniques can distort the context or significance of news stories, evoking emotional responses and shaping audience perceptions. By framing issues in a particular light or emphasizing certain aspects while downplaying others, news outlets can influence how events are interpreted and understood by the public.
⦁ Propaganda and Spin
Propaganda techniques, such as repetition, exaggeration, and emotional appeal, are commonly used to manipulate public opinion and promote a particular ideology or agenda. News outlets aligned with political or corporate interests may disseminate propaganda disguised as objective reporting, exploiting cognitive biases and psychological vulnerabilities to sway public opinion.
⦁ Confirmation Bias
Manipulative news sources may prey on individuals’ confirmation bias, the tendency to seek out information that confirms existing beliefs or biases while disregarding contradictory evidence. By catering to audiences’ preconceived notions and reinforcing their worldview, news outlets can create echo chambers and filter bubbles that insulate individuals from opposing viewpoints and critical analysis.
⦁ False Information and Disinformation
Deliberate dissemination of false information and disinformation is a common tactic used to manipulate public opinion and sow confusion. By spreading rumors, conspiracy theories, or outright lies, manipulative news sources can undermine trust in authoritative sources, fuel social unrest, and destabilize democratic institutions.
⦁ Emotional Manipulation
Manipulative news stories may rely on emotional manipulation techniques, such as fear-mongering, sensationalism, or appeals to empathy, to elicit strong emotional reactions from audiences. By exploiting emotions such as fear, anger, or sympathy, news outlets can manipulate audience perceptions and behavior, driving engagement and reinforcing ideological biases.
⦁ Divide and Conquer
Manipulative news sources may seek to divide and polarize society by exploiting social, cultural, or political fault lines. By amplifying divisive rhetoric, promoting identity politics, and fostering animosity between different groups, news outlets can deepen societal divisions and undermine social cohesion, making populations more susceptible to manipulation and control.
⦁ Manufactured Controversies
Manipulative news outlets may manufacture controversies or fabricate crises to generate sensational headlines and attract viewership. By manufacturing outrage or sensationalizing trivial issues, news sources can distract audiences from more pressing concerns and manipulate public discourse for their own gain.
While news media has the potential to inform and empower individuals in a democratic society, it can also be used as a tool for manipulation and propaganda. By being critical consumers of news, questioning sources, and seeking out diverse perspectives, individuals can guard against manipulation and misinformation, and foster a more informed and resilient society.
Additionally, promoting media literacy education and supporting independent, fact-based journalism are essential steps in combating manipulation and preserving the integrity of news media.
