Atheists have an advantage when working towards exposing theism as untenable because the foundational arguments remain constant and theists tend to get their theistic beliefs reinforced at a lower frequency than the constant bombardment of right-wing media propaganda. Further, arguments by Republican propagandists shift every 2 to 4 years. Each election cycle seems to bring a brand new cult of fake issues.
Over the years, purveyors of truth have had to combat misinformation surrounding (chronologically) trickle-down economics, WMDs in Iraq, “protecting marriage,” the “death tax,” “government-run healthcare,” “death panels,” Obama being a socialist/communist, birtherism, immigrants taking our jobs, her emails, Benghazi, draining the swamp, the deep state, “it’s just a flu,” “stop the steal,” radical left socialism, CRT, tolerance of LGBTQ community, inflation being Biden’s fault, and the so-called weaponization of the DOJ.
What’s more disturbing is the 24/7 Republican propaganda stream that millions voluntarily submerge themselves in. Every single one of these people, steeped in that propaganda world, is fueled by emotional, untenable arguments they cannot factually defend but rigidly support—voting for Republicans who serve the billionaire class against their own interests.
Contrast that with genuine journalism—the so-called “lamestream media,” ridiculed by right-wing radicals who’ve detached from reality. Actual journalism tends to inform and lead many towards Democratic policies, though it doesn’t always convert everyone. Meanwhile, right-wing media indoctrinates its followers, locking them into positions that crumble under scrutiny. As a result, it becomes easier and easier for the elites that spread this disinformation to pick us off. Those who watch actual news split their vote, but those who consume right-wing propaganda are all in. And once you start watching right-wing media, it seems impossible to escape its grasp.
A study found that the average Fox News viewer knows less about the world than someone who watches no news at all. Replacing Fox with CNN for one month meaningfully improved viewers’ understanding of the world. Alarmingly, many right-wing media sources are assessed by non-partisan fact-checkers as even more misleading than Fox News.
If you use Twitter, you can get all of your news from my list of reputable sources of information for free.
We’re up against an entire apparatus dedicated to keeping America in the dark, all for the benefit of billionaires who use the Republican party as a tool for their greed. This right-wing propaganda machine is the greatest threat to America, doing more damage than any terrorist attack in our history.
The left might engage in these conversations for a few months during election cycles, while most Republican voters have been steeping in a toxic stew on a 24/7 basis for years. The challenge feels insurmountable, but we know the solution: abandon propaganda sources and return to reputable journalistic outlets. Unfortunately, part of their brainwashing has convinced them that credible journalism is “fake news.” Their world is upside down; they believe lies are facts, and facts are lies. As religion has dwindled in the US, it seems to have been replaced by this cult-like devotion. Until we dismantle this delusion, America remains under siege.
- OAN: Settled after spreading baseless election lies, admitting to false claims about voter fraud — a complete failure to uphold any journalistic standards.
- Newsmax: Settled mid-trial to avoid facing the full extent of their deceit in court. They even argued their on-air personalities weren’t bound by journalistic ethics!
- Fox News: Paid a whopping $787.5 million to Dominion for knowingly broadcasting lies, proving they’ll say anything for profit, no matter the truth. (source)
I’ve spent considerable time trying to find a solution to our problem, and it seems that the most effective approach is to sue the proprietors of disinformation into financial ruin. Alex Jones, for instance, was sued into bankruptcy by the parents of Sandy Hook victims, which set a significant precedent. Fox News settled a $787.5 million lawsuit with Dominion Voting Systems over false claims about the 2020 election, and OAN and Newsmax have faced similar legal challenges. Haitian immigrants have also recently sued Trump and J.D. Vance for spreading falsehoods that endangered their lives. But this must become a regular occurrence if we want to create a lasting impact.
Imagine a dedicated charity focused on funding lawsuits against those who spread disinformation. As fake news networks face increasing legal pressure and financial consequences, others may try to fill the void, but the cumulative chilling effect on misinformation could be transformative. Over time, this could force individuals, brainwashed by propaganda networks, back to reliable news sources with journalistic integrity. The evidence is clear—switching to just a month of moderate news coverage like CNN significantly improves viewers’ understanding of the world. The science suggests that exposure to reputable news, even at a modest level, can begin to reverse the damage done by propaganda. This could be our most effective path toward restoring truth and reality in America.
FEATURED IMAGE: To those who lost someone on 9/11, I am deeply sorry for your loss. I, too, am experiencing a profound sense of loss. It feels as though America has been taken over by a force far more dangerous and damaging to our country than what happened on 9/11. My featured image, which compares the atrocities of 9/11 to the daily attacks on America by right-wing media, is the closest analog that captures the depth of grief I feel as I witness this ongoing destruction. Some things I remember about that time period are how propaganda led to a sentiment of hatred toward Muslims, how it helped radicalize a racist Trump to declare a Muslim ban, and how Alex Jones claimed 9/11 was an inside job. These ideas still perpetuate society today and have caused us great harm.