Journalist raises concerns over propaganda's perils, deeming it a pressing issue for American democracy this century.
The winner of the Pulitzer Prize in history and literature published a substantial piece in The Atlantic this week, raising concerns about the "new propaganda war" and the potential harm that disinformation can inflict on the world. The front-page article, pitched as an excerpt from her upcoming book "Autocracy Inc.," highlighted how autocratic forces worldwide, including Donald Trump in the U.S., are actively fighting a sophisticated information war "to discredit liberalism and freedom."
Applebaum asserts that these attempts are wreaking havoc on public discourse, distorting the way individuals view democratic governments and their foundational ideals. She claims this is one of the most pressing issues of our time, as we grapple with potential crises for American democracy in the 21st century.
During our phone conversation on Tuesday, she shared her views on this matter, emphasizing the corrosive effects of disinformation: "If we can't agree on what happened yesterday, how can we craft legislation? Without a shared understanding of the world in a democracy, how can we debate how we should shape our society?"
Applebaum's concern is that more and more societies are drifting away from the idea of truth. She mentions that Putin's Russia pioneered the art of masses of half-truths and outright lies, a tactic Trump has embraced in the United States and others have adopted globally. Trump has deployed propaganda to remain in power, causing chaos and mistrust among the populace.
"The idea is, by constantly spouting lies, you make people doubt everything they read or watch or listen to," she explained. "They question independent media, institutions like the justice system, and even science. It's a useful weapon for dictators."
The devastating nature of this propaganda campaign is apparent when considering the impact on countries such as Russia-occupied Ukraine. Russian-sown disinformation narratives have led to strong resistance from the American populace against aiding Ukraine, making it significantly harder for Congress to approve lifesaving aid for the nation experiencing a deadly aggression.
What separates America from other nations, however, is the absence of state-sponsored propaganda. Rather than government outlets like RT, Sputnik, or Xinhua blasting lies, Trump maintains an army of rogue collaborators, right-wing pundits, and media organisations who willingly spread disinformation.
"It's voluntarily done," Applebaum noted. "This network willingly spreads Trump's narratives, undermining traditional information sources. Maybe they believe they'll take advantage of the opportunity once the trust in these sources dissipates, just like Steve Bannon does with his podcast."
Trump's network of false news sources has had a profound impact on society, eroding the belief in science, journalism, and other reliable information sources like schools and universities. Despite this widespread destruction of trust in society, legacy media largely refuses to tackle the problem head-on. News anchors like David Muir, Lester Holt, and Norah O'Donnell shy away from the topic, while newspapers like The New York Times and The Washington Post adhere to the notion that labels such as "right-wing" should not be applied to Fox News or its ilk.
However, it's critical to comprehend the propaganda pipeline overflowing with lies shaping collective perceptions of reality. Understanding how rubber stamping false narratives hinders efforts to help Ukraine, create accurate election results, and maintain a stable Republican Party is essential to grasping the weight of our present situation. Regrettably, valuable media outlets are not prioritizing this vital context in their reporting.
When I questioned her as to why this fundamental story is overlooked, Applebaum expressed her uncertainty.
"I can't comprehend why it remains obscured," she said. "It seems like one of the central themes shaping our modern narrative."
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Source: edition.cnn.com
