Don’t Be Duped

By John J

Recently, Piers Morgan interviewed President Trump for the first episode of the new TV show, Piers Morgan Uncensored which streamed on Fox Nation, on April 25, 2022. The teaser, airing over most social media outlets, featured a disgruntled Trump walking angrily offset. The NY Post headline read: “Trump walks out of explosive Piers Morgan interview after being pressed on 2020 election.”

Hours later, Trump’s communications director released his recording of the interview, and surprisingly, it was nothing like the teaser. Trump accused Morgan of deliberately editing the promotional teaser. In a written statement, “The good news is that the interview was taped by us as a means of keeping him honest.”

This is only the latest example of media manipulation (also known as propaganda), but it is not the last. The ongoing manipulation of the American people by the media, which has now consolidated into only six media companies, determines what over 90% of U.S. residents see, hear, and think. They do it for ego, profit, and political gain.

In any election year, expect an escalation in media manipulation. Here are 10 tips to spot media manipulation from #CantDupeMe

· Tip #1: Be wary if you do not see counter-arguments: the facts may be incomplete. Be willing to listen to the other side with an open mind.

· Tip #2: Twisting or simplifying the other side’s ideas can make it easier to argue them away.

· Tip #3: Presenting worst-case scenarios to scare you keeps you coming back.

· Tip #4: Watch out for media manipulators who say their supporters are smarter, stronger, or more attractive.

· Tip #5: Take a breath. Manipulators create a false sense of urgency.

· Tip #6: Look for evidence when people or groups make big promises.

· Tip #7: Media manipulators make their cause seem more popular or more powerful than it is. Get the facts.

· Tip #8: Manipulators reduce people/causes to either good or bad. No issue is ever 100% good or 100% bad.

· Tip #9: Good people can honestly disagree. Watch out when opponents are framed as evil. Be willing to discuss and debate, but do not argue.

· Tip #10: Examine issues carefully. Do not be swayed solely by what seems friendly or popular.

This election year, do your own research. Take nothing at face value. Train yourself to think critically. Ask yourself, who profits from me believing this? Because, as Nelson Mandela stated, “An educated, enlightened and informed population is one of the surest ways of promoting the health of a democracy.”