A propaganda model
According to Herman and Chomsky(1998), mass media goes through five filters:
The size, ownership, and profit of the mass media institution: mass media centuries ago would need little amount of finance for a vast audience but that is not the case anymore where large amounts of money should be put into to ensure a long lasting platform. The profit orientation is of a significance where media somehow chase the profit rather than expressing the voice of truth.
Advertisement: media institutions could not afford their programs by the payment of the audience solely, the ones who fill the gaps then are advertising companies. those advertisers choose certain topics that suit the image of their products which makes media produce those type of programs rather than other ones.
The sources of the information: media reporters cannot be present everywhere to catch up on the news, instead, they use steady resources. The reliance on common usual news resources reduces the investigative work and thus might not provide accurate information.
Flak: this could be threatening for the media companies since negative consequences could result from this. For instance, advertisers who sponsor media programs avoid or boycott institution who might produce flaks which is a negative outcome for the economic factor.
The common enemy: indicating communism as the ultimate evil and the common enemy. According to America, killing Soleimani was considered killing a terrorist. While for Iranians, America is the terrorist which is according to what is written in an article by CNBC, “Iran Condemns Trump as ‘terrorist in a suit’ after attack threat.”
Reference list:
Herman, E. S., & Chomsky, N. (1988). A Propaganda Model [read excerpts]. Excerpted
from Manufacturing consent: The political economy of the mass media (1st ed.). New
York, N.Y: Pantheon Books. Retrieved from: https://chomsky.info/consent01/
https://www.cnbc.com/2020/01/05/iran-condemns-trump-as-terrorist-in-a-suit-after-attack-threat.html
Xiaoyue Zhang 