The Information-Disinformation Wars on DU -- The Chavez example [View All]

Of course, DU is just one small locale where this sort of conflict is taking place, but it is the larger context that helps us understand what is happening here.

I'm sure most DUers understand that the large multinational corporations have long used the power of the US State apparatus and their own resources to promote their interests around the world. The methods are varied, overt and covert, and range from direct military action to economic arm-twisting to propaganda and disinformation operations. (If any are unaware of this history or feel they need more information, just ask. I'm sure the helpful members of this forum can provide some good references for further study.)

And I'm sure that most are aware that these forces have been operating in Latin America, as well as elsewhere, for a very long time, and that the Chavez government has been a particularly prominent target for several years.

The component that most impacts the discussions on DU is, of course, the PR (propaganda) aspect. There are 192 nations in the UN, 20 in Latin America, yet a disproportionate number of posts on DU and stories in the corporate media focus on Chavez and Venezuela. To some extent, this is understandable, since there a very intriguing social revolution taking place there. But the stories that hit the media and DU are, to be charitable, hit pieces on the level of the Swift-Boat Liars, total fictions, or artificially hyped faux outrage like the Edwards haircut or Dean scream crap.

Whatever the criticism, there are obviously far more extreme examples of whatever failing or offense is being alleged against Chavez that deserve people's attention, if those particular "issues" were what motivated people. Obviously, it is the fact that such accusations, whatever their merit, are being used against Chavez that prompts people to join in the campaign against him.

The echo chamber then, wittingly or not, feigns or feels outrage and joins in. Before long, the critics are labeled as Chavez-lovers and the others as Chavez-haters. Not very useful. A lot of clutter and noise. Not much light. Maybe that is the intent of some, or maybe it is just a game. But the noise drowns out the facts.

What gets lost in the noise, is of course, is the usual question in all investigations. Cui bono? Who benefits? That is usually not such a hard question to answer.

But there is one more. One even more significant. This is the core question in all politics. Which side are you on?