The Propaganda Model - Noam Chomsky

(The Propaganda Model: An Overview, www.medialens.org, 2010)

Chomsky's 'Propaganda Model' is used to explain how populations or the 'audience' are manipulated due to propaganda. Chomsky argues that there is a process of filtering which occurs in the media and explains that there are 5 filters which are used by the government or powerful media corporations to manipulate the messages the public see. This process of filtering information, I think, can be applied to advertising - Large corporations sell a product through the use of advertising, which carefully uses selective information to portray, which is generally accepted by the public as being the truth.

The two filters regarding advertising and 'flak are particularly interesting to me. Advertiser's are powerful and influential within the media, I think it's an interesting notion how those who cannot afford to advertise are left unheard. The word flak is used to describe a negative response (usually from the public) to a media statement. This can be in the form of letters, lawsuits or other action such as sponsors threatening to pull their advertising.

When considering 'flak' and advertising it makes me think about whether it could be used strategically, for example a shocking advertisement campaign could cause a negative public response which in turn can generate more advertising through the press.