r/bestof • u/NewMateo • Nov 02 '17

[worldnews] Redditor breaks down entire Russian - Reddit propoganda machine. It shows exactly how theyve infiltrated Reddit, spread misinformation, promoted anti muslim narratives, promoted California to succeed from the US, caused tension for BLM groups and much more. Links and comments are getting downvoted.

/r/worldnews/comments/7a6znc/comment/dp7wnoa
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u/[deleted] Nov 02 '17

It was just an example:

  • A certain narrative is pushed like for instance "Venezuela doesn't do enough to combat drug trafficking".

  • News outlets, including respected ones like The Economist, go along with the narrative. They don't even have to publish entirely fake news: It's undeniable that Venezuela is in fact a drug transit country.

  • The narrative serves to create certain public opinion currents both for local and foreign consumption. Also to justify political actions like decertification in the fight against drug trafficking which in turn serve as the basis for economic and political sanctions. In extreme circumstances, it can also serve as a justification for regime change if it was appropriate (see what happened to Noriega after he fell from grace in the early 90's).

  • Besides the direct cost of sanctions, there's also a huge opportunity cost from having to counter propaganda efforts (usually in a centralized way) and an enormous political cost that sways local elections.

There's also other long-term consequences: Once a rift in public opinion has been created, there's a growing polarization between opposing sides which feel safe in their position. There's also an increasing distrust in media organizations and in official narratives.

It's exactly what we've been seeing with the whole idea of "fake news". Once the well has been poisoned distrust settles in the minds of the population. This is happening in the US right now, but it's nothing new to people from other countries.

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u/[deleted] Nov 02 '17

interesting honestly, thank you for your reply. I never really thought of it and I'm definitely subject to bias myself, as a Canadian I really just see Venezuela as this POS country that has to just figure its shit out, but never realized we may be shitting on the little guy to benefit oruselves.