Critical Thinking & Social Justice

Media Aims

Truth and Persuasion Journalism Public Relations Advertising

“The problem for us is not are our desires satisfied or not. The problem is how do we know what we desire.” ― Slavoj Žižek

Theory

Critical thinking Hegemony Some prominent mass

communication theories: Agenda-setting Priming Framing Cultivation

Example for Consideration

War and Security Lack of real debate in media (FAIR

analysis of pre-Iraq War coverage on ABC, CBS, NBC, and PBS revealed only 3 out of 393 segments that were anti-war.)

Co-opted language Sanitized coverage Euphemistic language Distancing

Example for Consideration

Diamonds Manufactured desire Manufactured scarcity Human rights concerns Misleading certification

Example for Consideration

Walmart Social media campaign to “fight

hunger.” Criticisms of Walmart:▪ Puts local companies out of business and

employs low-wage workers▪ Violation of political rules by suggesting to

employees how to vote▪ Supply chains with human rights concerns▪ “Dead peasant” insurance

What is a developed society?

Post-WWII Concept (socially constructed) Consumption was an early indicator

used to determine which nations were the most “developed.”

Defined 2/3 of the world as “underdeveloped.”

Ignored problems of colonialism Criticized as new form of colonialism.

What is a developed society?

Alternative Indicators: Legal rights Health Education Gender equity Peacefulness Charitable giving Happiness

Some Resources of Interest

Film The Corporation Why We Fight

Videos Manufactured Consent Toxic Sludge is Good for You Independent Media in a Time of War Frontline: The Persuaders