[garbanz0]

> Fact-checking will struggle to counter propaganda, then, because it will either focus on the wrong thing (facts instead of the bigger picture), or it will focus on the right thing and risk becoming propaganda itself.

In my opinion, this entire essay is the author struggling with their own cognitive dissonance that fact checking as it plays out in American media smells a lot like propaganda, but it surely can't be propaganda, because it's done by the good guys and for good intentions. But the American propaganda arm is very old and well established.

There is no informational authority and there never was or can be.

[viro]

its important to remember propaganda doesn't mean false. Aslong as its trying to influence or persuade an audience to further an agenda its propaganda.

[hulitu]

> its important to remember propaganda doesn't mean false

It doesn't mean true either.

[intelVISA]

> There is no informational authority and there never was or can be.

Random comments by Seers on HN is probably close enough

[pxoe]

how's the rest of the world dealing with those things?

[mcv]

Education helps a lot.

Although I've got to say, people believing completely nonsensical conspiracy theories and other nonsense are definitely on the rise in Europe. I noticed my son's school is giving attention to how to judge the credibility of news.

[maxehmookau]

I'm glad that they are. It's another form of critical thinking and a wonderful thing for our children to be taught.

[graemep]

Which bit of the test of the world? I varies a lot.

The broad answer is badly.

One thing I find in the UK is that while most people say they distrust journalists and the media most people's worldview is clearly formed by the media they favour. This works both ways, of course.

Social media does allow some crazy conspiracy theorists, but they are a minority and most people use social media (at least outside personal stuff) to share both media stories and little snippets and quotes which back the same views and narrative they favour.

It is also very common for people to despise people who take a different view to despise those who believe the obviously false/propagandised/repugnant view of the other side. I think the "left" are worse (quotes, because IMO it is now more of a tribal badge than actually meaningful), but that may be because most people I know in IRL and connect to on social media are from a narrow group (affluent, Guardian reading type of left wing). I have known a broader range of people (in different countries too) but do not see that much of their attitudes at the moment and the biggest group (Sri Lankans) mostly comment on problems specific to their own country (and obviously I do not see them face to face as I do not live there now) so only social media, chats and phone calls).

[hulitu]

We also have american propaganda.

[47393ii4]

I couldn't entirely tell if you were being sarcastic so I just figured I'd reply as though not. But, why can't the "truth" be propaganda? The presentation and presenter of a truth are just as significant for steering discourse and mass understanding of a given fact as the fact itself.