Necessary Illusions

In his 1988 CBC Massey Lecture, Noam Chomsky explores the role of media in political systems where direct control over the population is ineffective, emphasizing the need for more nuanced ideological influences. Drawing on examples primarily from the U.S., as well as other societies, he examines the potential for democratizing media to enhance citizen engagement and participation in social and political life. Through this analysis, Chomsky addresses the broader challenge of fostering more democratic institutions.