Working with the concept of epistemic welfare, defined as creating and maintaining the conditions... more Working with the concept of epistemic welfare, defined as creating and maintaining the conditions and capabilities for individuals' epistemic agency in the public sphere, this contribution provides a theoretical framework to demonstrate a way out of what has been described as an epistemic crisis, illustrating this with the case of algorithmic recommender systems used by media organizations. First, we identify the processes of datafication, algorithmization and platformization and their impact on the public sphere, specifically how they disrupt knowledge production, dissemination and acquisition. Next, we combine social epistemology, welfare studies and communication research to build a framework that allows analyzing how well communicative social practices, procedures and institutions fulfill epistemic standards and, thus, contribute to individuals' opportunities to exercise their epistemic agency and reach epistemically valuable states. Finally, we discuss epistemic welfare's implications for media governance, i.e., building conditions and capabilities that ensure epistemic agency.
In this article, we propose a new theoretical account of mental autonomy through which policymake... more In this article, we propose a new theoretical account of mental autonomy through which policymakers can develop new legal instruments to mitigate the harms caused by propaganda. We argue for a renewed understanding of mental autonomy, informed by relational autonomy, highlighting its interdependent nature, shaped by technological mediation and social structures in the digital public sphere. We begin by defining propaganda and discussing its potential to inflict harm through the transformational forces of datafication, algorithmization, and plaformization. A historical review of legal approaches to propaganda reveals critical gaps in existing frameworks, which continue to rely on outdated perceptions of autonomy that assume the mind is largely immune to external influences. To address these inadequacies, we build upon the novel concept of epistemic welfare-societal structures and conditions to ensure epistemic agency-and extend it to mental autonomy, which we argue is a necessary precursor to such welfare. Finally, while recognizing the challenges of implementing legal protections against propaganda, we advocate for a governance approach that balances protection and freedom within the broader notions of free thought and expression.
The Routledge Handbook of Political Campaigning provides an essential, global, and timely overvie... more The Routledge Handbook of Political Campaigning provides an essential, global, and timely overview of current realities, as well as anticipating the trajectory and evolution of campaigning in the coming years. Offering a comprehensive analysis, the handbook is structured into seven thematic sections, including the campaign environment; rhetoric and persuasion; campaign strategies; campaign tactics and platform affordances; news and journalism; citizens and voters; and civil society. The chapters within each section reflect on the latest societal, technological, and cultural developments and their impact on campaigning, on democratic culture within societies, and on the roles that campaigns might play in both facilitating and impeding political engagement. Key trends and innovations are examined alongside case studies and examples from a range of nations and political contexts. Issues around trust and representation are further reflected in a focus on the wider campaigning environment and the rise in importance of grassroots and pressure groups, social movements, and movements that coalesce within digital environments. The Routledge Handbook of Political Campaigning is an essential resource for scholars, students, and practitioners in political communication, media and communication, elections and voting behavior, digital media, journalism, social movements, strategic communication, social media, and more broadly to democracy, sociology, and public policy.
This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative... more This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY
This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative... more This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY
The aim of this contribution is to elaborate on propaganda to better define the term in its const... more The aim of this contribution is to elaborate on propaganda to better define the term in its constituent parts and to build a conceptual model that can also serve as a programme of study. To this end, I develop a definition of propaganda as the enforcement of ideological goals to manage public opinion. Next, I discuss the complex relationship between truth and propaganda positioned alongside mis- and disinformation and argue true information can be, and often is, used as propaganda. I argue the contextual environment can play an equal role to the message itself in the process of distribution, dissemination, and reproduction of propaganda, particularly in light of the technological developments of Web 3.0. I discuss the crucial role of repetition and stereotypes, alongside “hot” and “banal” propaganda in either long- or short-term use. Lastly, I discuss the relationship between propaganda and its audiences from a cyclical perspective, considering them in their reception and participat...
Motivated by the conundrum "when does the law make it illegal to reveal illegal activity... more Motivated by the conundrum "when does the law make it illegal to reveal illegal activity?", this article explores the relationship between legal structures and the free flow of information by adding a Legal Filter to Herman and Chomsky's 1988 Propaganda Model. The Legal Filter represents how elite powers use legal constructions to block information from mainstream media through three layers: Undisclosed Information, Lawfare and Legal Standing. The addition of a Legal Filter compliments and strengthens current discussions about informational and surveillance capitalism, mis/dis/malinformation proliferation and understanding the growing number of internet information leaks and "hack and dumps."
The aim of this contribution is to elaborate on propaganda to better define the term in its const... more The aim of this contribution is to elaborate on propaganda to better define the term in its constituent parts and to build a conceptual model that can also serve as a programme of study. To this end, I develop a definition of propaganda as the enforcement of ideological goals to manage public opinion. Next, I discuss the complex relationship between truth and propaganda positioned alongside mis- and disinformation and argue true information can be, and often is, used as propaganda. I argue the contextual environment can play an equal role to the message itself in the process of distribution, dissemination, and reproduction of propaganda, particularly in light of the technological developments of Web 3.0. I discuss the crucial role of repetition and stereotypes, alongside “hot” and “banal” propaganda in either long- or short-term use. Lastly, I discuss the relationship between propaganda and its audiences from a cyclical perspective, considering them in their reception and participating role in a propaganda campaign and the consequences of intended and unintended audiences.
Motivated by the conundrum "when does the law make it illegal to reveal illegal activity?", this ... more Motivated by the conundrum "when does the law make it illegal to reveal illegal activity?", this article explores the relationship between legal structures and the free flow of information by adding a Legal Filter to Herman and Chomsky's 1988 Propaganda Model. The Legal Filter represents how elite powers use legal constructions to block information from mainstream media through three layers: Undisclosed Information, Lawfare and Legal Standing. The addition of a Legal Filter compliments and strengthens current discussions about informational and surveillance capitalism, mis/dis/malinformation proliferation and understanding the growing number of internet information leaks and "hack and dumps."
‘The most paranoid man in America’: Alex Jones as celebrity populist
Celebrity Studies, 2019
Alex Jones, US radio show host, founder of InfoWars.com, and self-proclaimed ‘most paranoid man i... more Alex Jones, US radio show host, founder of InfoWars.com, and self-proclaimed ‘most paranoid man in America’, is often mentioned in discussions about current US populism and the role of social media...
This contribution analyses the nexus between contemporary US populist nationalism and the post-gl... more This contribution analyses the nexus between contemporary US populist nationalism and the post-global media ecology through the case of US radio show host and ‘most paranoid man in America’ Alex Jones and his Infowars. It evaluates the role of Alt Right alternative/activist media and global digital platforms in the success of Jones as ideological entrepreneur. To this end, it looks at Jones’ and Infowars' message (mostly Falls Flag conspiracy theories and pseudo-science-meets-popular-culture fantasy), persona as celebrity populist spectacle, business model, political alliances with Alt Right and Trump, audience as diverse mix of believers and ironic spectators and, most of all, media. In particular, we analyse the mix of legacy and social media and their respective role in his rise and alleged downfall. We evaluate Jones’ efforts as effective ideological entrepreneur, pushing his counter-hegemonic ideology from the fringes to the mainstream.
This contribution starts from the contemporary surge in conspiracism to develop a theoretical fra... more This contribution starts from the contemporary surge in conspiracism to develop a theoretical framework to understand how conspiracy theories make it from the margins to the mainstream. To this end, it combines a view of conspiracy theories as ideology and its propagandists as ideological entrepreneurs with insights into how the affordances of digital media and popular culture are instrumental in propagating the conspiracy theories. It further complements sociological and psychological explanations with a fandom perspective to grasp the diversity of conspiracy audiences. Together, it is argued, these factors allow ideological entrepreneurs to push conspiracy theories from the margins to the mainstream. Alex Jones and QAnon are discussed as cases in point.
This contribution starts from the contemporary surge in conspiracism to develop a theoretical fra... more This contribution starts from the contemporary surge in conspiracism to develop a theoretical framework to understand how conspiracy theories make it from the margins to the mainstream. To this end, it combines a view of conspiracy theories as ideology and its propagandists as ideological entrepreneurs with insights into how the affordances of digital media and popular culture are instrumental in propagating the conspiracy theories. It further complements sociological and psychological explanations with a fandom perspective to grasp the diversity of conspiracy audiences. Together, it is argued, these factors allow ideological entrepreneurs to push conspiracy theories from the margins to the mainstream. Alex Jones and QAnon are discussed as cases in point.
This contribution analyses the nexus between contemporary US populist nationalism and the post-gl... more This contribution analyses the nexus between contemporary US populist nationalism and the post-global media ecology through the case of US radio show host and 'most paranoid man in America' Alex Jones and his Infowars. It evaluates the role of Alt Right alternative/activist media and global digital platforms in the success of Jones as ideological entrepreneur. To this end, it looks at Jones' and Infowars' message (mostly Falls Flag conspiracy theories and pseudo-science-meets-popular-culture fantasy), persona as celebrity populist spectacle, business model, political alliances with Alt Right and Trump, audience as diverse mix of believers and ironic spectators and, most of all, media. In particular, we analyse the mix of legacy and social media and their respective role in his rise and alleged downfall. We evaluate Jones' efforts as effective ideological entrepreneur, pushing his counter-hegemonic ideology from the fringes to the mainstream.
This article revisits the theoretical–philosophical foundations of propaganda to better position ... more This article revisits the theoretical–philosophical foundations of propaganda to better position it in contemporary conceptual discussions about (computational) dis/mis/malinformation. It discusses propaganda as a tangible expression of ideology in communication—its principal purpose to enforce ideological goals, manage opinion, and consolidate loyalties. Starting from the notion of propaganda as a technique to further ideological interests that naturally hail from it, propaganda is discussed in relation to communication and information and how it relates to ideology and power, referring to ideas from key authors including Marx, Althusser, Gramsci, and Lukes. Taking inspiration from Gramsci, it discusses the role in propaganda communication of intellectuals, operating at the behest of elite power, but increasingly for the intellectuals’ own interests. Finally, propaganda, as communication, effecting values + beliefs, and therefore opinion, is analyzed as a central component in creating, influencing, and justifying Searle’s notion of status functions in society.
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