00:00:00 - 01:00:00

In the YouTube video "Documental: Noam Chomsky y Los medios de Comunicación,"

intellectual and linguist Noam Chomsky discusses the role of media in shaping
public opinion and controlling thought in democratic societies. Chomsky, a critic of
American foreign policy, believes that the media and public relations industry play a
significant role in shaping and controlling public opinion. He argues that media
outlets, particularly the elite media, serve the interests of dominant elite groups and
determine what is important and what is not through agenda-setting, framing, and
filtering of information. Chomsky's criticisms of media manipulation and control
extend to historical events, such as the invasion of East Timor and the Khmer Rouge
regime in Cambodia. He highlights the stark difference in media coverage between
communist and non-communist atrocities and implies a tacit conspiracy between
the establishment press and the government to focus on certain issues and ignore
others. Chomsky encourages viewers to question the impact of media on their lives
and to seek out accurate information on real human rights issues, such as the
ongoing tragedy in East Timor.

● 00:00:00 In this section of the YouTube video titled "Documental: Noam

Chomsky y Los medios de Comunicación," the host Kelvin welcomes the film
crew from Necessary Illusions and introduces his guest, intellectual Noam
Chomsky. Chomsky is there to discuss the concept of thought control in a
democratic society. The interviewer explains that Chomsky believes the media
and public relations industry play a significant role in shaping and controlling
public opinion. Chomsky is described in the New York Times as "arguably the
most important intellectual alive," but the interviewer points out that this
description often omits the second sentence, which questions how Chomsky
can criticize American foreign policy so harshly. The interviewer expresses
concern that the media, like the New York Times, may not appreciate being
criticized and may try to silence or discredit those who challenge their
perspectives.
● 00:05:00 In this section of the documentary titled "Documental: Noam
Chomsky y Los medios de Comunicación," Noam Chomsky, a scholar and
political activist, is interviewed by Bill Moyers about the role of propaganda in
democracy and the potential of ordinary people to see through deceit.
Chomsky expresses concern about the indoctrination of society and the need
for people to make an effort to face the truths that are often hidden from
them. He believes that people have the capacity to understand complex
issues and that communication is a reflection of human creativity. Chomsky's
work in linguistics, particularly his theory of universal grammar, has
transformed the field and had a significant impact on various disciplines such
as psychology, education, sociology, philosophy, literary criticism, and logic.
 Throughout his career, Chomsky has been a consistent critic of power politics
and has used his scholarship to challenge established narratives.
● 00:10:00 In this section of the YouTube video titled "Documental: Noam
Chomsky y Los medios de Comunicación," intellectual author and linguist
Professor Noam Chomsky is discussed in relation to his criticisms of media
and the manipulation of public opinion. Chomsky, known for his rationalist
libertarian socialist views, has criticized American policy, the subservience of
the intelligentsia, and the distortions of media. The video explores the concept
of "manufacturing consent," a technique of control described by Walter
Lippmann in his 1921 book of the same name. This approach, which is the
opposite of the standard view of democracy, holds that the public cannot
handle complex issues and requires illusions and oversimplifications to
maintain faith in the system. Chomsky's perspective challenges the notion
that democracy requires free access to information and ideas, instead arguing
that control over what people think is essential for maintaining order in a
democratic society.
● 00:15:00 In this section of the YouTube video titled "Documental: Noam
Chomsky y Los medios de Comunicación," Noam Chomsky discusses the
propaganda model and the role of the media in shaping public opinion.
According to Chomsky, there are two primary targets for propaganda: the
political class, who make up approximately 20% of the population and play a
role in decision-making, and the general public, who make up around 80% of
the population and are meant to follow orders without questioning. The
media, particularly the elite media like the New York Times, play a crucial role
in shaping the perception of current events for the politically active and
educated classes. Through agenda-setting, framing, and filtering of
information, these media outlets determine what is important and what is not,
often serving the interests of dominant elite groups in society. The New York
Times, in particular, is highlighted as an influential player in shaping history
and public discourse.
● 00:20:00 In this section of the YouTube video titled "Documental: Noam
Chomsky y Los medios de Comunicación," Noam Chomsky and Reed Irvine,
despite their political differences, share similar views on the influence of
media as "agenda setters." They argue that both liberal and conservative
media operate under the same assumptions, and a well-functioning system
would have a bias towards the status quo. Chomsky explains that media is
controlled by major corporations, which sell privileged audiences to other
businesses through advertisements. These corporations aim for an affluent
audience to raise advertising rates, creating a filter that shapes the media's
content.
● 00:25:00 In this section of the "Documental: Noam Chomsky y Los medios de
Comunicación" YouTube video, Noam Chomsky discusses the role of media in
 shaping perceptions of the world. He argues that the primary function of
mainstream media is to satisfy the needs and interests of sellers, buyers, and
advertisers. Chomsky uses The New York Times as an example, explaining
that a significant portion of the paper is dedicated to advertising, particularly
classified ads. He also criticizes the sports section, suggesting that it serves
to distract people from important issues and promote irrational attitudes of
submission to authority. Chomsky reflects on his own experiences with media
indoctrination and encourages viewers to question the impact of media on
their lives.
● 00:30:00 In this section of the YouTube video titled "Documental: Noam
Chomsky y Los medios de Comunicación," Noam Chomsky shares his
personal experiences that led him to become a political activist despite having
a successful career as a professor at MIT. He recalls feeling the shame of not
standing up for a bullied classmate and later in life, making the uncomfortable
decision to become an activist against the dominant currents of American life,
including the Vietnam War. Chomsky acknowledges the risks and penalties for
breaking rules but believes it was necessary to take a stand and inspire others
to do the same. He emphasizes the importance of direct resistance and
non-participation in what he considers war crimes, and expresses his belief
that significant flaws in society require new ways of political action.
● 00:35:00 In this section of the YouTube video titled "Documental: Noam
Chomsky y Los medios de Comunicación," Noam Chomsky discusses the role
of the media in society, particularly during times of war. He argues that the
equanimity and detachment of reasonable people in observing such events is
more terrifying than the actions of extremists. Chomsky believes that the
media has a serious role to play in presenting the complete context of events,
including the possibilities of peaceful settlement, and offering a forum for
debate. However, in the case of the Persian Gulf War, this never happened, and
the media failed to present the option of peace as a viable alternative.
Chomsky emphasizes that this is a People's War, and they should know as
much about it as possible, with the media serving as the first weapon in a
worldwide strategy of information.
● 00:40:00 In this section of the YouTube video titled "Documental: Noam
Chomsky y Los medios de Comunicación," Noam Chomsky discusses the
media's role in shaping public opinion regarding international conflicts and
their impact on diplomacy. He provides examples of how the media failed to
hold aggressors accountable, such as the US invasion of Panama and the
genocide in Cambodia under Pol Pot. Chomsky argues that the media's
subservience to powerful states, like the United States, results in biased
reporting and a lack of critical analysis. He suggests studying historical
atrocities committed by official enemies and allies to understand the media's
agenda and criteria for reporting. The discussion then shifts to the case of
 East Timor, a small, ancient civilization with unique cultural and linguistic
characteristics, which was invaded by Indonesia in 1975. Despite reports of
atrocities against the East Timorese people, the international community,
including Canada, has consistently voted against UN resolutions to help end
the occupation. The media's lack of coverage and attention to East Timor's
plight is a significant issue, as the country's independence could set an
example for the region.
● 00:45:00 In this section of the YouTube video titled "Documental: Noam
Chomsky y Los medios de Comunicación," the discussion revolves around the
invasion of Portuguese Timor by Indonesia in 1975. The reporters, who were
present during the invasion, describe their experience of being questioned by
local men who were shocked that the rest of the world did not care about the
atrocities happening in their country. The invasion, which was supported by
the United States, resulted in an estimated 200,000 deaths, with the US
providing 90% of the arms used by the Indonesian military. The reporters also
mention the parallel situation in Cambodia, where US bombings had killed an
estimated 600,000 people between 1970 and 1975. Despite the significant
number of lives lost, the media and Western countries showed little concern
for human rights abuses if there was profit to be made. The invasion and
subsequent atrocities continued until 1978, with starvation being used as a
primary weapon against the population.
● 00:50:00 In this section of the documentary "Documental: Noam Chomsky y
Los medios de Comunicación," the discussion revolves around the media's
coverage of atrocities committed during the Khmer Rouge regime in
Cambodia and the Indonesian invasion of East Timor. The speaker, Michael
Vickery, notes that while the media quickly labeled the Khmer Rouge's actions
as genocide, they downplayed the Indonesian government's invasion of East
Timor, despite the significant loss of life. Vickery shares his personal
experience of trying to bring attention to the situation in East Timor through
journalism and activism, highlighting the stark difference in media coverage
between communist and non-communist atrocities. The speaker implies that
there may be a tacit conspiracy between the establishment press and the
government to focus on certain issues and ignore others.
● 00:55:00 In this section of the documentary "Documental: Noam Chomsky y
Los medios de Comunicación," Noam Chomsky is discussed for his critical
analysis of media coverage, specifically regarding the East Timor conflict.
Chomsky brought files of newspaper coverage from various sources,
including The New York Times and The Washington Post, to compare and
contrast. He noted that key information was often left out of American
publications, resulting in a whitewashed version of events. The London Times
had reported accurately on the atrocities in East Timor, but the New York
Times revised it significantly, and Newsweek picked up the revised version,
 creating a misleading narrative. Chomsky argued that this was not due to
ignorance or deadline pressure but a systematic effort to suppress certain
elements of the story. The media's role in shaping public opinion on real
human rights issues, such as the ongoing tragedy in East Timor, was
emphasized, with the international community's involvement and the suffering
of the population at stake.

01:00:00 - 01:00:00
In the "Documental: Noam Chomsky y Los medios de Comunicación" YouTube video,
the speaker admires the courage and resilience of activists and dissidents in regions
like Southeast Asia, Central America, and the occupied West Bank. He finds it
remarkable that they survive on minimal support from turbulent imperial societies.
The speaker underscores the significance of this margin of support and emphasizes
its size as a crucial factor.

● 01:00:00 In this section of the "Documental: Noam Chomsky y Los medios de

Comunicación" YouTube video, the speaker expresses admiration for the
courage of activists and dissidents in places like Southeast Asia, Central
America, and the occupied West Bank. He has personally witnessed their
resilience and finds it astonishing that they survive on a slim margin of
support from turbulence within imperial societies. The speaker emphasizes
the importance of this margin and how large it is for us to determine.