"Manufacturing Consent" Film Review

Before watching the film Manufacturing Consent, the name Noam Chomsky only meant an important international relations thinker of modern times in my mind. After watching the film on his novel, of the same title, I have a much clearer understanding of who Chomsky is and why his extremely important in the cotemporary interpretation of first generation human rights. The film itself uses several case studies to outline Chomsky’s belief that we are slaves to the media. He believes that we do not actually think for ourselves in the American democracy, which he also, controversially, asserts is a result of any democracy. It seems crazy to think that a system centered around freedom of choice and representation for all would be oppressive. Chomsky, and the film, provides shocking evidence that we are in fact under the thumb of the small number of elites that control the news. The line that propaganda is like the bludgeon of democracy as fear is the bludgeon of totalitarianism really struck a cord with me. Growing up in America’s democracy, we are taught that there is a freedom of press in America that is unparalleled, but Chomsky’s argument makes this seem like it is also an indoctrinated lie. The film is shocking in its content and the presentation of the case studies is a perfect way to understand the complicated musings of Noam Chomsky. In regards to how this film relates to the greater idea of human rights, it is clear Chomsky believes that our first generation human rights of political and civil rights to freedom of press and thought are being attacked. When one lives in a democracy, it seems ridiculous to think that our minds and opinions on any issue are controlled by a big brother figure. After analyzing all the fact though, it seems like Chomsky might have a point. While I do not agree with his anarchist views, I do think we should constantly question the news presented to us because the majority of the power in this nation lies in very few hands that can manipulate the presentation however they want. This film, while very long, was extremely interesting and will make even the most “informed” viewer question if they really know the truth about anything.