How to Effectively Respond to Chomsky's Manufacturing Consent

“If you don’t read the newspaper, you are uninformed; if you do read the newspaper, you are misinformed.” – Mark Twain?

Mark Twain lived more than a hundred years ago, which reminds us that concerns about media bias are nothing new.

Noam Chomsky and Edward Herman’s Manufacturing Consent was written in 1988, thirty-eight years ago, and it remains surprisingly relevant and enlightening today. Our society is deeply plagued by political polarization, and it may worsen through the unholy collusion among politics, industry, and the media.

The time has come to step back and ask who shapes today’s talking points, narratives, and public opinion. These are formed not necessarily through outright, malicious lies, but through selective emphasis, omission, and framing.

With that realization in mind, here are some practical applications for everyday life.

1. Become a Smarter, More Critical News Consumer

We cannot simply withdraw from the world and its news. Instead, we must engage with it critically, cultivating stronger reading and listening skills. When you read or watch the news, ask simple questions:

(1) Who owns this outlet?

(2) Who funds it (advertisers, sponsors, corporate backing)?

(3) Whose voices are being quoted?

(4) Who is missing from the story?

Consider debates about global warming. For example, when we see the name of a news outlet covering climate issues—say, Fox News or CNN—we often already anticipate its general tone or stance. Even research on climate change can be influenced by funding sources, whether from oil companies or the green energy industry.

It is similar to writing an academic paper. We trace the genealogy of ideas and arguments. If we know which school of thought a scholar represents, it becomes easier to follow and critically assess the argument.

To make matters more complex, many people now receive news primarily through social media, where algorithms curate content according to personal preferences. In the past, we chose newspapers, magazines, and TV channels. Now, they choose for us. Platforms like YouTube know what interests and stimulates us and, in order to retain our attention as long as possible, feed us similar content. No wonder we see so many extremists and fundamentalists today.

Becoming a critical news consumer reduces emotional manipulation and prevents us from accepting narratives too quickly. Read and listen, therefore, with a grain of salt.

2. Stay Engaged, Not Cynical; Keep a Critical Mind, Not a Critical Heart

One common misunderstanding is that Manufacturing Consent encourages us to distrust everything. In reality, it calls for awareness of structures. The goal is not to reject all media, but to consume it thoughtfully. We do not throw the baby out with the bathwater.

We can still engage with various news outlets—just consciously. We should not rely on a single source or perspective. Instead, read mainstream outlets, watch diverse YouTube and TV channels, and consider multiple viewpoints.

Such perspective and open-mindedness reduce simplistic blame and promote deeper civic understanding—especially when we are aware of our own biases and prejudices. As the Bible says, “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?”

This is a journey of understanding ourselves, others, and the world we share. As Hans-Georg Gadamer’s concept of the hermeneutic circle suggests,

understanding is a dynamic and non-linear process.

To read or not to read—that is the question.

Of course, we should read, watch, and listen to the world around us—but with wisdom, discernment, and civility.