Photo selection: “Shining Figure” Obama (left), and “Man of Darkness” Wilders.

One of the main criteria for good journalism is objectivity. A good journalist informs. The evaluation of information is left to the mature reader. Next to the unknown as well as the undesired opinion of the journalist, there is conscious and willful manipulation. The WELT article “Right-wing populist fails in polls” is a further example of this bad, but consciously, manipulating journalism

(Written by kai1000 for German PI / Translation: Anders Denken)

In this article are found a complete array of techniques used to steer the opinion of the reader in a certain direction:

Belonging to one of the most basic techniques is the process of stigmatization by the use of such disparaging terms as “right-wing populist.” A populist avails himself of demagoguery; he fuels the fears he wishes to use to his advantage. His actions aren’t marked by conviction but by opportunism. The first time an individual gets branded “populist,” the devaluation of his position has been achieved. Like the liar, when he attempts to give the truth, it’s useless. Any substantial discussion about his statements is subsequently prevented.

The term “hostility to Islam” implies an action stemming of a position of aggression. The opposite is actually the case. Wilders — as well as the collective movement of PI — is acting defensively, as a reaction to the threats against our free, secular and pluralistic society. The defense of freedom and human rights have been converted into an unreflected enmity. This term also causes Wilders’ position to be weakened.

Another concept that enjoys constant use (however, not in this WELT article), is Islamophobia. Factual and, above all, supportable criticism about Islam gets raised to the level of irrational fear in the pathological sense. A phobia, or a pathological fear, that belongs to the realm of medical treatment. In this way, Islam criticism gets put on a level with fear of spiders, fear of flying or fear of open places (arachnephobia, aviatophobia, or agoraphobia).

Besides verbal manipulation, manipulation through the use of pictures is a more effective technique. The choice of the motif is determined by the feeling that is to be transferred through the image, and therefore in the article. A comparison of two WELT articles demonstrates the effectiveness of this technique.

Example 1 (WELT article published on March 12, 2010)

The photographer here takes up a position below that of US President Barack Obama. The perspective forces the observer to look up, he is being automatically forced into an inferior position. The view of Obama is directed to somewhere far away, implying a broad-ranging activity. The raised hand creates a goodwill bond with the public, making him a part of the same. The smile transfers sympathy and friendliness. In summation, the image effects a heroization of Obama, he is staged as a shining figure.

The staging of Geert Wilders is quite different.

Example 2

Geert Wilders is not smiling, he looks threatening. In addition, his lighting is below. His facial features receive an almost diabolical look by the lighting; an “evil look” is created by use of the shadows off his eyebrows. Moreover, Geert Wilders is surrounded by darkness. The subconscious association that gets provoked is that of thieves and criminals who dare to appear only under protection of the night. The image works toward making Wilders into a devilish figure.

To make it totally clear, the press plays the key role in a free society by controlling the three national forces and their institutions. Therefore, a journalist should scrutinize the positions of politicians — even those of Geert Wilders. But when the boundaries of objective criticism have been transgressed into public defamation, that is a clear misuse of journalistic privileges.

Journalists who are no longer conscious of their responsibility as opinion shapers, and who misuse freedom of the press for their own selfish goals, are only dismantling one of the foundational pillars of our democracy — and misuse is always the precursor to destruction.

Photo selection: \"Shining Figure\" Obama (left), and \"Man of Darkness\" Wilders. One of the main criteria for good journalism is objectivity. A good journalist informs. The evaluation of information is left to the mature reader. Next to the unknown as well as the undesired opinion of the journalist, there is conscious and willful manipulation. The ...

Guest, 14. Mar 2010 |  Print This Post |  Email This Post | post a comment    
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