Worthy and Unworthy Victims

Using a propaganda model, we would not only anticipate definitions of #worth based on #utility, and dichotomous attention based on the same criterion, we would also expect the #news stories about worthy and unworthy #victims (or enemy and friendly states) to differ in quality. That is, we would expect official #sources of the United States and its client regimes to be used heavily – and uncritically – in connection with one’s own #abuses and those of friendly governments, while refugees and other dissident sources will be used in dealing with enemies. We would anticipate the #uncritical acceptance of certain premises in dealing with self and friends – such as that one’s own state and leaders seek peace and democracy, oppose terrorism, and tell the truth – premises which will not be applied in treating enemy states. We would expect different criteria of evaluation to be employed, so that what is villainy in enemy states will be presented as an #incidental background fact in the case of oneself and friends. What is on the agenda in treating one case will be off the agenda in discussing the other. We would also expect great investigatory #zeal in the search for enemy villainy and the responsibility of high officials for abuses in enemy states, but diminished enterprise in examining such matters in connection with one’s own and friendly states.

— Edward Herman & Noam Chomsky, in their book Manufacturing Consent

#UnworthyVictims #WorthyVictims #media #propaganda #PropagandaModel #ManufacturingConsent #NoamChomsky #Chomsky #EdwardHerman