The freedom of the press is important, and of course it must be protected. But the freedom of everybody else and of ordinary citizens is also important.
In Kenneth Burke’s ‘The War of Words,’ the late rhetorical theorist picks apart the little ways news articles can subtly influence readers – and harden divisions.
People who read false news items come to believe them – even if they know better. It doesn’t help to know the source is unreliable or the report has been debunked.
The Trevor Noah phenomenon speaks to an influential comedic revolution that is happening in South Africa. Its comics operate in an increasingly complex, high-risk and conflict-intense society.