Rating: 
Summary: 20% or 80%
Review: If you're one of the majority of Americans who do not question that which they are spoon fed every day like a drone by the corprate owned media, chances are you reached this video by accident. If you've a sincere interest in finding out why you must begin to think for yourself and actually, I know it's a big step, analyze and research that which is spat out as part of the Goventment sponsored media/indoctrination blitz, then buy this video. "If you do not believe in the freedom of speach for those who you despise, you do not believe in it at all." -Noam Chomsky
Rating:
Summary: An Eye Opener
Review: Despite the previous reviewer's remarks, not once in this film does Noam Chomsky argue that the media suppreses certain news items at the behest of the goverment. Instead, he argues that the national media, as part of the elite corporate power structure, has certain vested interests in not reporting on potentially embarrasing events where the U.S. government is heavily involved on the wrong side. Places like East Timor in the late 1970s, for example. There is no conspiracy theory here. Chomsky is very clear on that. Rather, it's simply a case of people and corporations in power seeking to maintain their hold on power. That's it. Chomsky is an advocate of full, democratic participation in all aspects of American life, and that's the case he presents in this film. It's a wonderful educational tool. Highly recommended.
Rating: 
Summary: Falls Short of Goals
Review: This video of Noam Chomsky's ideas on the media is intended to serve three purposes: 1) to argue for Chomsky's ideas on media misreporting of the news, 2) to provide a biography of the man himself, and 3) to present an alternative to mainstream media. The film is well done from a production point of view, but as an argument it falls short of its goals. The first and most important goal of the film is to suport Chomsky's arguments about the media portrayal of foreign affairs. He claims the media does not report on certain items that the US Government does not wish them to report. Its an interesting thesis, and certainly provocative. We might expect the author to provide both quantitative and qualitative data to support his claim. There is no attempt whatsoever to provide a large empirical sample, however. Qualitatively there is only one example-the media's lack of reporting of the US backed Indonesian government's savage war in East Timor. Chomsky argues that since the Indonesian military was waging a genocidal war against the native population, the media did not report it since it was rather embarrassing to the US. Furthermore, the US supported the Indonesian policy for economic reasons, which the US did not want to be made public. This interpretation falls short on many levels. The situation began in 1975 with the Indonesian invasion of East Timor, and its subsequent attempts to repress the freedom movement there. The Ford Administration was in fact disgusted by the naked aggression undertaken by the Suharto regime. Secretary of State Henry Kissinger stated that although the US did not like the violence perpetrated by the Indonesian Government, it really had no choice but to support them. The reason, however, was not economic, but military. With the Cold War against the Soviets raging around the globe, the US could not risk sending Indonesia to the Soviet camp by not supporting them because of the human rights abuses in East Timor. The US thus continued to support its Indonesian ally, sending them arms, some of which were used in East Timor. Twenty-two years later, however, the global political environment had changed. With the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, the US did not need to support Indonesia as an anti-Communist bulwark. Indonesia had also been infected by the Asian flu in 1997, and seemed unstable politically and economically in 1999, when the US changed its policy on East Timor. As the Indonesian military stepped up its violence against the native population, the atrocities grew worse. The US government no longer needed Indonesia as an ally, and could now stop support for them based solely on their human rights abuses. Thus arms shipments were stopped, and the US supported UN intervention, as well freedom for the local populace. All of this was splashed across the headline of every major newspaper in August of 1999, contrary to what Chomsky may have predicted. Thus, the one case he uses to prove media bias does not work. The film does provide a good biography of the man and his ideas, and it also seeks to promote alternative media as well. But neither of these seems worthwhile when the one case he uses is disproved.
Rating:
Summary: As depressing as it is important
Review: Americans would like to think that freedom of the press means something. After viewing this rather remarkable video, you may wonder what exactly it DOES mean. Yes we can print the truth, but do we. Take a listen to the nightly news for a couple of weeks and see how many times the newscasters say "according to official sources." Aren't these highly payed, powerfully backed "reporters" supposed to rely on their ability to "dig" up the news? Noam Chomsky makes some startling revelations concerning the National News Media that will give most people pause to think. Chomsky speaks deeply on the topics he covers and does so even in the face of those who try to shoot him down. It's great seeing him keep his cool while some of his opponents are practically pulling their hair out. It's also amazing to see someone fail to understand his argument about the difference between defending what a person says and defending that person's right to say it. This is some great stuff and when you realize that ALL the major media in the U.S. is owned by 9 multi-national companies, his words will give you the creeps. This is a must see for all who think they're getting the straight dope.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent armament for intellectual self-defense
Review: This is one of the most important films I have ever watched, and I've watched it more than a dozen times. It has inspired me to read more writings by the honest and straightforward Noam Chomsky who has had a profound effect on my life and the lives of many of my friends. One of the interesting things I've noticed is that it was co-produced by The National Film Board of Canada, which makes me even prouder to be a Canadian. I think it was entirely produced by Canadians! I doubt Hollywood or the American Media would have had enough sense to create such an honest, intellectually inspiring film. Thanks Noam, I've turned the Damn TV off!
Rating:
Summary: A few details are wrong but the concepts are timeless
Review: Undoubtedly, Noam Chomsky has ingeniously integrated the holistic ideas of several great philosophers and historians and has forumulated a fairly consistent and objective worldview of the state as well as of the media infrastructure. This documentary does a fairly good job of demonstrating his work. A few of the facts he uses to support his claims however are a bit out of date though. For instance, a lot more progress has been made in the area of animal cognition than is shown - the footage comes from a news program made in the 70's. Also, the list of media conglomerates is out of date among other things...but these are just minor details. It's the concepts that are important. He brings forth an important lesson: the elite use the media and other social tools to suppress critical thinking as a pragmatic necessity towards holding on to their power. No matter what time frame you're in, it's an invaluable piece of wisdom that will probably hold true for years to come. You'll like it.
Rating:
Summary: A MUST SEE FOR FREE THINKERS
Review: Enter the fasinating world of media dissection with Noam Chomsky. This thought provoking film should provide the intellectual enzymes to help viewers digest the current crisis in Kosovo and the media's treatment of cuurent events.
Rating:
Summary: a thought-provoking look at Noam Chomsky and his work.
Review: most good documentaries should have one or two really thought-provoking ideas that you think about long after you've finished watching it. MANUFACTURING CONSENT has these kind of intriguing ideas every FIVE minutes. it is so crammed with fascinating ideas and truly enlightening points that repeated viewings are a must. after seeing this film you will look at the mainstream media in a completely different light. i know i did. this film is a sobering reminder that news organizations like CNN are less interested in what they report than HOW they report. this documentary is a great introduction to Noam Chomsky and his ideas.
Rating:
Summary: A penetrating and absorbing analysis of major media.
Review: This study of America's greatest living scholar and political philosopher centers on Chomsky's incisive and clearly documented criticism of mainstream media and how they shape, distort and/or ignore information in the service of elite class interests. This film is a kind of primer for anyone who wants to understand how and why reality is transformed into a doctrinal construct that supports the agenda of the corporate-banking complex. What emerges in this extraordinary documentary is a confirmation of Charles Reich's assertion: a profoundly undemocratic and unjust private economic government has engaged in a "hostile takeover" of the nation and the world with the eager complicity of the news media.
Rating:
Summary: Exceptional documentary
Review: Simply one of the best documentaries I haver ever seen. It shows Chomski point of view on many topics like media,terrorism,economic,slavery and at the same time it shows different persons who don't share his point of views. It is not like this DVD is trying to brainwash you but to show you that a coin may have 2 faces to it, and both need to be analyzed to get our own truth.
| 
