Dr. Khaled Walid Mahmoud
The theory of “Manufacturing Consent”, developed by Noam Chomsky and Edward Herman, is one of the most prominent intellectual frameworks explaining how major media outlets shape public opinion—not as independent entities conveying the truth, but as tools wielded by political and economic elites to serve their interests. This theory operates through various mechanisms, including information filtering, selective focus on specific issues while marginalizing others, and the systematic repetition of messages until they gain widespread acceptance, regardless of their accuracy or bias.
Repetition is one of the key tools in the process of manufacturing consent. The continuous presentation of the same idea over and over again makes it familiar and widely discussed, thereby reducing mental resistance to it. This principle aligns with the Mere Exposure Effect in psychology, which suggests that individuals tend to prefer information they are repeatedly exposed to, even if they were initially skeptical of it.
However, the impact goes beyond repetition alone; it is further reinforced by silencing opposing voices and steering discussions within limited boundaries, restricting intellectual diversity and reinforcing dominant narratives. In this context, media narratives often present themselves as objective or neutral, despite their inherent biases, thus granting them misleading credibility.
* Trump’s Repeated Calls for Palestinian Displacement: A Case Study
Through the lens of Manufacturing Consent, the repeated assertions by former U.S. President Donald Trump regarding the displacement of Palestinians from Gaza can be analyzed as part of a media-driven strategy aimed at entrenching political narratives. Despite the categorical rejection of this notion by Arab states and the international community, the persistent repetition of this idea contributes to its normalization within political and media discourse.
This repetition gradually diminishes the initial emotional rejection of the idea, making it seem less shocking over time, even if it remains fundamentally unacceptable. As it continues to circulate in the media, the way it is perceived begins to shift—from outright rejection to discussions about its feasibility, conditions, and potential consequences. This shift is precisely what the Manufacturing Consent mechanism seeks to achieve. The danger of this strategy lies in its ability to reshape collective awareness, making initially rejected ideas part of mainstream discourse, thereby facilitating their eventual acceptance or, at the very least, their consideration as a plausible reality. Consequently, it is essential to critically engage with media narratives and recognize the mechanisms of repetition, filtering, and exclusion that influence public opinion formation.
* Resisting Media Manipulation
Awareness of these dynamics is not merely an intellectual stance but a necessity for safeguarding collective consciousness from manipulation. This requires:
1.Seeking diverse sources of information to avoid falling into the trap of a single dominant narrative.
2.Engaging in critical thinking to scrutinize media messages and uncover hidden agendas.
3.Challenging mainstream narratives, which are often crafted to serve specific political and economic interests.
The Manufacturing Consent theory illustrates how repeated narratives can transform into widely accepted truths, despite initial resistance. This applies directly to Trump’s rhetoric about Palestinian displacement, where repetition serves as a tool for normalizing discourse and paving the way for dangerous political shifts. Thus, awareness of these mechanisms—alongside critical vigilance against media repetition and selective framing of information—remains a cornerstone in resisting attempts to manipulate public consciousness regarding pivotal issues.
* The Role of Arab Media in Countering U.S. Agendas
Amid current geopolitical shifts, political analysts and observers must recognize the decisive role media plays in shaping public perception. Political elites do not merely disseminate narratives; they actively construct a discursive environment that facilitates their acceptance and circulation as unquestioned facts. Resisting Manufacturing Consent requires not just individual critical awareness but also institutional and media-driven efforts aimed at:
•Enhancing Arab media’s role in exposing U.S. agendas through intensified media campaigns and awareness initiatives targeting global audiences.
•Highlighting the dangers of these policies and their far-reaching consequences.
•Strengthening communication channels with Western media and leveraging its influence in shaping public opinion and international policies.
•Correcting biased narratives and promoting the Arab perspective on the global stage. By recognizing and countering these media strategies, the Arab world can challenge imposed narratives and reassert its position in the global information landscape, ensuring that truth is understood as a multifaceted construct rather than a one-sided narrative shaped by dominant political and economic forces.
The writer is a researcher specialising in cyber politics, holding a PhD on the topic of “Cyberspace and Power Shifts in International Relations.”
The writer is a researcher specializing in cyber politics, holding a PhD on the topic of “Cyberspace and Power Shifts in International Relations.”
