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Lucas Z's avatar

Well said!

“These lines are then hammered across all their individual channels, in a wall of coordinated action, sharing, and cross-support, in an attempt to drown out or delegitimise the story.”

Has got me thinking a lot lately about this piece by Gary King and Jenn Pan on how propaganda these days is for distraction not engaged discussion:

https://gking.harvard.edu/50c

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Yaling Jiang's avatar

They are also on Reddit :D

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Whipling's avatar

...one has 4,500 posts across 56 threads (!)

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Phil H's avatar

It would be much quicker and clearer to translate properly into current English and say these people are influencers. International audiences are familiar with influencers. We know the model, and we know the issues around their lack of independence. We know what a bought & paid for influencer looks like.

The use of opaque terminology like “studio” is part of the state’s obfuscation effort. When you repeat this terminology, you’re failing to communicate the reality behind the mask.

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Whipling's avatar

Hey, Phil. I understand your point, but there is a small difference here.

A "media studio" is a tiny department, of which their product is often an 'influencer', but also (and just as likely) a non-KOL-led news channel, opinion column, newsletter, animation, or cartoon series.

Also, I often default to the terminology the state uses, as some readers like to follow up with their own research, and this speeds the process. Hope that helps~

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Anime-Dude's avatar

Really great piece 💯

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