Media and Politics Fall 2017

2.2. Hate and conspiracy

Quiz from seminar 10. November

1. Describe «conspiracy theory» and what is meant by

«conspiracy culture being embedded in modernization»

“Conspiracy theory” attempts to explain some event or practice -

by reference to the machinations of powerful people - who

attempt to conceal their role.

It may turn out to be true or false but is never rational, more a

matter of belief/disbelief.

“Conspiracy culture” is the widespread distrust in established

institutions and “truths” – and paranoid theories about the secret

enemies of common citizens.

“Conspiracy theories” are strategies to rationalize anxieties by

developing explicable accounts for seemingly inexplicable forces in

a confusing modern, globalized society. Modern media facilitates

the spread of such theories and alternative truths.

2. What is a «media template» - and «the Holocaust media

template»?

It refers to how the media interpret and frame current (or

even reframe past) events, using former key events in the past

as models/schemata.

The Holocaust template is an example of a past key event

being recast as a template for interpreting and framing

“genocide” in the future.

It therefore is used as a comparison to recognize and interpret

other events as genocide – or not – and eventually what

should be done about it.

3. How can genocides be pre-mediated and post-mediated?

Premediation of genocides refers to the use of existing

“schemata” (or genocide templates) to interpret a current

violent process.

Postmediation refers to the interpretation “after the fact” of

what happened, why it happened and what could/should be

done about it.

As such it might therefore lead to change in existing templates

and contribute to the premediation of future events.

4. Mention some reasons why conspiracy theories are so

difficult to deal with

Being non-rational; there is little counterevidence that can

falsify them in the eyes of the believers.

Counter speech – or silence - from opponents are taken as

“evidence” of the conspiracy.

Tough opposition, infiltration or surveillance strengthens

the conviction further and may even lead to more extreme

views within the group.

They have a competitive advantage by offering

“explanations” of events as results of the intended action

of conspirators, while in real life they are the results of

coincidence or “system errors”

5. How does Shaw (in Hoskins) explain the problem of

recognizing a genocide?

The common understanding of genocide focuses on the tragic

end result: The completion of the destruction of life. Instead

genocide should be seen as a destructive process:

The identification of a social group as an enemy against

which it is justified to use systematic physical violence.

The intention to destroy the real or imputed power of the

enemy group, including its ability to resist.

The actual deployment of violence to destroy the power of

the enemy group through killing and physically harming.