Sharyl Attkisson

Untouchable Subjects. Fearless, Nonpartisan Reporting.

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Propaganda and Astroturf: Recognize it.

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UntitledHere’s my TEDx talk on the increasingly artificial paid-for reality we get…and how to recognize the truth.

“Astroturf seeks to manipulate you into changing your opinion by making it seem as if you’re an outlier–when you’re not.”

“Hallmarks of astroturf and propaganda include use of inflammatory language such as quack, crank, nutty, pseudo, paranoid and conspiracy.”

“Beware when an interest addresses an issue by controversializing or attacking the people, personalities and organizations surrounding the issue rather than the facts. That could be astroturf.”

Watch the TEDx Talk at the University of Nevada, Reno


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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Hi, I’ve been a big fan ever since I saw you interviewed on Fox. Congrats and best wishes in your fight.
    As for the Propaganda and Astroturf video, is there a transcript that I can get for reference?

    Thanks, Barry Glasgow

  2. The celebrity PR astroturf has gotten so thick that it has ruined many message boards where I used to go to talk about entertainment stuff. Some of these forums seem to be 50% PR people now who harass and insult people who say “mean” things about their clients while posing as “fans”. It’s technically gangstalking by PR people on behalf of insecure, narcissistic celebs who WANT people talking about them all the time, but can’t stand for people to be allowed to say anything unflattering. Astroturfing is already illegal if they are not disclosing that they work for someone, but it really needs to be enforced somehow.

    Just go to any message board and post about how you think Madonna is old and boring or Beyonce is overrated and see how fast the PR shills show up to attack you. It’s very obvious and obnoxious and I really resent being bothered by these people when I am just a person expressing an opinion on pop culture. These reputation management firms need to get a big smack down and need to be forced to comply with advertising rules about disclosure.

    I don’t understand how they get away with this. If they did it in real life they would be gang stalking and harassment if a BRAND was allowed to follow you around and hurl insults at you every time you make a a statement about their precious BRAND they don’t like. Unfortunately, online it’s a free for all and I no longer bother commenting about any celeb online just so I don’t have to deal with the PR socks and their obnoxious attempts to manage their clients reputations by harassing and name calling people that don’t like their stupid brand.