107: The Media Manufactured Normal
How Corporate Media Enforces Conformity
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One of the most insidious roles mainstream media (MSM) has played over the decades is its function as the arbiter of what is "normal." It has policed and regulated the boundaries of acceptable speech, determining what policies, politicians, and perspectives are permissible and which are beyond the pale. This has alienated a growing part of the population, pushing many toward conspiracy theories—not out of an inherent desire to be deceived, but because for many, there are few viable alternatives to the MSM's managed reality.
If the medium is the message, then the message of corporate media has long been conformity to an unjust system. Over time, this has had a corrosive effect on democracy, shifting the psychological framework from a focus on citizen rights to consumer rights. News programs center their coverage on the consumer—what affects their purchasing power, their lifestyle choices—rather than on what they can do as active participants in a democracy.
The consequences of this shift are everywhere. A potent example today is the Canadian response to the Trump regime's growing threat to the country’s sovereignty. Instead of mobilizing as engaged citizens, many respond as consumers, believing that "buying Canadian" can somehow shield them from systemic collapse. What is missing from this discourse is the acknowledgment that the battle was lost long ago—towns and communities across Canada have already been economically colonized by American corporate giants like Walmart and Home Depot.
But the most urgent and powerful example of MSM control is the ongoing genocide in Gaza and, historically, the policing of discourse around Zionism. To this day, mainstream media treats Zionism as sacrosanct, strictly limiting critical perspectives. This makes TikTok’s role in the current information war all the more significant. The platform has served as a direct source of news and advocacy for a free Palestine, offering an alternative to MSM narratives and fostering widespread criticism of Zionism as a US and Israeli policy. This is one of the key reasons why TikTok is under threat of being banned—the Chinese government will never allow its sale, and its ability to disrupt Western propaganda makes it a target.
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While many still place faith in MSM institutions, it is crucial to recognize just how dangerous they have become. Nowhere is this clearer than in the US, where legacy media has been quick to align itself with the authoritarian Trump regime, normalizing his policies even as they openly threaten democracy. Journalism, as a practice and method, remains viable and essential—but the institutions that claim to uphold it are bankrupt, both morally and financially.
Instead, we must redirect our time and attention toward alternative media and grassroots initiatives. Organizations like rabble.ca, spearheaded by pioneers like Judy Rebick, offer a glimpse into what independent, citizen-led journalism can and should look like. Citizen journalism is not just a slogan; it is a necessary strategy in the fight for democracy. By decentralizing journalism, we do not just reclaim the profession—we remind people of their power as citizens before that status is lost entirely.
Big thanks to Judy who is currently at the top of our leaderboard, although displayed as Anonymous, which is wise given that we’re all likely to be among the first up against the wall once the US invades. We’ve updated the rewards for referrals, with the first level being a shout out, the second being a custom issue, and the third being admission to our Hall of Heroes (not yet established).
The Future of Authority recognizes that we currently live in (the early days of) an authoritarian society and we owe it to each other to imagine and fight for a future beyond it….
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thanks for the Postman piece. I've often wondered what he might be saying about media today, if he was still with us. Calls for a re reading of Amusing Our Selves to Death.