“Bad News from Venezuela” and “Propaganda in the Information Age” with Alan MacLeod

Coming From Left Field podcast published January 17, 2025

Warm Greetings All,

One of my favorite journalists is Alan MacLeod, who has contributed to FAIR.org, The Guardian, Salon, The Grayzone, Jacobin Magazine, and MintPress News. Alan completed his PhD in Sociology at Glasgow University, focusing on his research interests in social media, Internet subcultures, propaganda, fake news, and Latin American politics.

In the first part of the interview, we discuss his two recent books:

“Bad News from Venezuela: Twenty Years of Fake News and Misreporting” examines how Western media has reported on Venezuela since the election of President Hugo Chavez in 1998, including coverage that is often distorted and contributes to the spread of misinformation and "fake news" in support of US imperialism and hegemony.

"Propaganda in the Information Age: Still Manufacturing Consent” is a collaborative volume that updates Edward Herman’s and Noam Chomsky's propaganda model for the modern media landscape. The book explores how the original ideas from their 1988 book "Manufacturing Consent " remain relevant today.

In the second part of the interview, we discuss some of Alan’s recent journalism including articles on a wide variety of topics:

· Rebranding of Syria’s Abu Mohammad al-Jolani from ‘terrorist’ to ‘freedom fighter’

· Unit 8200, the elite intelligence unit within the Israel Defense Forces

· Military recruitment using TikTok accounts with provocative young women

· Manipulation of Wikipedia editors and social media algorithms to suppress access to alternative media

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I encourage you to check out Alan MacLeod's posts on MintPress News, which are always insightful and thought-provoking.

Peace,

Pat