I’d argue the ruling class propaganda model has been changed from “manufacturing consent” to deliberately creating conflict as a marketing tool (Matt Taibbi’s “Hate, Inc” thesis) and as a “divide and conquer” strategy, although the fragmentation of the media also reflects the fragmentation of the ruling class itself. The tech-oligarch/new clerisy/Brahmin faction has emerged as a challenger to the merchant/military faction and is slowly gaining the upper hand. However, the media of the different ruling class factions still has the function of “manufacturing consent” among their own constituencies.

On The Jacobin Show, we discuss the “propaganda model” described in Edward Herman and Noam Chomsky’s classic book Manufacturing Consent with Chapo Trap House co-host Matt Christman.