". ] Interesting results . Discussed a bit (along with some others) in a footnote in chapter 5 of my book "Deterring Democracy[". ] [3] References Chomsky, Noam. Understanding Power: the Indispensable Chomsky. New York: the New Press, 2002. Herman, Edward S. Discount Model Rocket and Chomsky, Noam. Manufacturing Consent: the Political Economy of the Mass Media. "

" During the year 2005 in the USA, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) criticised the George W. Bush administration for the preparation and distribution of videos which falsely give the impression of being interviews made independently of the administration. The New York Times claimed that more than 20 federal agencies, including the State Department and the Defense Department, now create fake news clips. The Bush administration spent $254 million in its first four years on contracts with public relations firms, more than double the amount spent by the Clinton administration. [1] [2] Flak The term "flak" has been used to describe what Chomsky and Herman see as targeted efforts to discredit organizations or individuals who disagree with or cast doubt on the prevailing assumptions which Chomsky and Herman view as favorable to established power (e. g. , "The Establishment"). Bottle Model Rocket Unlike the first three "filtering" mechanisms — which are derived from analysis of market mechanisms — flak is characterized by concerted and intentional efforts to manage public information. Flak from the powerful can be either direct or indirect. "