The Control of Information
How the rich and powerful shape the media and control your mind. By Judith Brown
SUMMARY – Media and information literacy.
This article is a shortened version of the main report on this subject that will be published on Sunday 22 December, 2024.
Media literacy is a sinister part of the fact check industry, that aims to control thought amongst ordinary people, with the aim of training them to unquestioningly follow the wishes of policy makers. This is a growing industry that by 2024 seems to be larger than the fact check industry itself. However, fact check platforms are often employed to take part in media literacy training programmes. The media literacy industry is funded by the same governments, corporations and foundations that fund fact checkers.
The media literacy network uses Orwellian language to describe their activities. This includes using phrases such as ‘developing critical thinking’ and ‘reducing risks’ caused by ‘conspiracy theories’. There is a need to develop skills in information analysis, to enable the identification of fraudsters and criminal activity, but the current form of media literacy training goes further than this. For example, a 2021 report for the British government on media literacy training included dealing with harassment, grooming and cyber bullying, which is positive. However, it also discussed more vague concepts such as controlling ‘unwanted behaviour’, ‘potentially harmful content’ and ‘inappropriate content’, which are more contentious, as these may just be contrary opinions.
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The Cambridge Social Decision-making Lab (CSDL), at Cambridge University is an important part of the global media literacy industry. The head of this unit, Professor Sander Van Der Linden, describes the way people fit into ‘filter bubbles’ and ‘echo chambers’ which cause similar ideas to spread within each bubble or chamber, which acts to reinforce information. The CDSL state this can make people believe inaccurate facts. The aim of the CDSL is to persuade participants of the CSDL programmes to reject views that do not coincide with mainstream narratives. This is done by research, designing media literacy programmes, and working with worldwide governments on media literacy campaigns.
The full version of The Control of Information report that will be published on Sunday describes some of the many methods of media literacy training that are in use today. In addition to online instruction programmes, there are also media literacy games, videos, and television programmes.
The media literacy programmes that were examined teach trainees how to recognise sources that the trainers say are reliable. These include the mainstream media, governments, and organisations such as regulatory bodies and world institutions like the UN and WHO. These institutions are part of the policy making network, and are funded by the same wealthy funders as the media literacy industry and the fact check industry. Media literacy trainers discourage any interactions with the independent media, although this branch of the media often offers wider debate and discussion than the mainstream. Independent online news programmes often give a platform to informed persons whose views add interest to discussions and debate.
Some of the methods of training include animated games that appeal to children and students. Scientists and doctors who are not part of the establishment are described as gaining followers by using tricks, and they always have nefarious aims. These sorts of games encourage trainees to be suspicious of any expert who gives an independent opinion, even if the expert is genuine.
The media literacy training programme is global and extensive. In the UK alone there are 170 establishments listed that offer media literacy training. Globally, the industry includes training establishments, networking NGOs, annual conferences, and media literacy journals. Each continent has its own network that supports the industry in its own area.
Media literacy experts claim that misinformation and disinformation, produced by people with nefarious aims, can cause dangerous reactions. However, this is also true if false information is provided by governments and official sources. For example, governments and health authorities were responsible for Thalidomide, that caused disastrous birth defects in babies. Also, reports have demonstrated that non-pharmaceutical interventions that were used during the Covid era had a negative effect on health and social development.
Dissenting opinions may be right or wrong, but it is important that adults should be able to freely listen and evaluate, and then form their own views. Training of children should be specifically aimed at areas where they are directly at risk. Meanwhile, taxpayers are footing the bill for an expensive brainwashing system that encourages the acceptance of those that create policy. This undermines human rights, freewill, and democracy.