Media Control

The Spectacular Achievements of Propaganda

By: Noam Chomsky

Narrated by: Noam Chomsky

Noam Chomsky’s backpocket classic on wartime propaganda and opinion control begins by asserting two models of democracy—one in which the public actively participates, and one in which the public is manipulated and controlled. According to Chomsky, "propaganda is to democracy as the bludgeon is to a totalitarian state," and the mass media is the primary vehicle for delivering propaganda in the United States. From an examination of how Woodrow Wilson’s Creel Commission "succeeded, within six months, in turning a pacifist population into a hysterical, war-mongering population," to Bush Sr.'s war on Iraq, Chomsky examines how the mass media and public relations industries have been used as propaganda to generate public support for going to war. Chomsky further touches on how the modern public relations industry has been influenced by Walter Lippmann’s theory of "spectator democracy," in which the public is seen as a "bewildered herd" that needs to be directed, not empowered; and how the public relations industry in the United States focuses on "controlling the public mind," and not on informing it. Media Control is an invaluable primer on the secret workings of disinformation in democratic societies.

Classic Chomsky

A masterpiece of analysis by linguistic philosopher and political critic & scholar. Historical lineage of US propaganda.

Profoundly incite full and appalling

The fact that this information is new to some of us is a testament to the propaganda machine in our supposedly free country. The viewpoints that we are allowed to hear are very narrow and hence our world view is extremely myopic and distorted.

Good intro

For those not familiar with Chomsky this is a good introduction. I enjoyed listening to him and wanted to revisit some of the texts I have read in the past. Chomsky is timeless.

2025 Application

Though more than a decade old, this analysis is quite applicable to today's situation. Read it to understand why we are here

Holy shit!?$

Talk about needing to be listened to at least thrice. Chomsky never disappoints. The level of propaganda being inflicted on the masses during the current pandemic perhaps wishes that no one gets within earshot of such truths that Chomsky brings forth. Highly informative and thought provoking.