Astroturf is More Than Fake Grass

Meladi Brewer

meladibrewer99@gmail.com

Astroturf. No not the fake grass on a football field, but astroturf as in when political, corporate, or other special interests disguise themselves and are published to try and persuade you into thinking an independent movement is speaking. 

Astroturfing provides a threat to news media, the truth, and politicians who ask tough questions and create content with accuracy. They seek to gain support by manipulating information to make a situation seem worse or better for someone. Journalists have a hard time competing because the astroturf provides confusing and conflicting views to the point consumers become flustered and disregard everything, including the truth. 

It is a way for consumers to believe they are in their own version of the Truman Show, as reality seems to have taken an alternative route.  

Astroturfing and Manipulation of Media Messages by Sharyl Attkisson on TedEx Talks talked about how the information can become skewed and manipulated stating reality becomes "a carefully-constructed narrative by unseen special interests designed to manipulate your opinion." 

Public Relations plays a hand in the above concept. The body at work looks at the majority and constructs videos, advertisements, and news contents in a way that will grasp the attention of the audience based on the beliefs set up. 

As journalists and PR representatives, it is important to adhere to the code of ethics and provide the viewer with enough information they themselves can make an informed decision about their opinions. However, persuasion for beliefs can be produced along the same lines. Advertisements will try and persuade you to endorse a product. 

The conflict can be seen through the talk about COVID-19. The information is becoming distracting and daunting while being overwhelming. Too much information is out in the open, the majority of the people are becoming confused and are over the virus. It is hard to determine what is correct and what is fake. 

Governors across the United States are handling the pandemic at hand in vast ways. According to Spectrum News, The New York Times says social media has provided a platform for rallying protests against the rules and regulations the governors have put into place. 

Astroturfing proves extremely dangerous as the spread of inaccurate news can hurt society, journalists, and PR representatives. Truth seekers combat the workings astroturf have on the majority; however, after the wrong information has been taken as the truth for so long, it is hard for society to believe the truth is the truth. 

Journalists and PR representatives begin to lose credibility and accountability in the public's eyes as confusion and anger arises. Without knowing what is real or fake within the media, the population tends to lose faith and retaliates.