The people can be manipulated when there is a shortage or a surplus of information. In such situations, the manipulation has the same effect and the people should be taught to think critically, mass media expert Ion Bunduchi said in a press club meeting entitled “Informational manipulation – danger and antidote for readers,” which was staged by the Independent Journalism Center, IPN reports.
“When there is not enough information, we cannot take a decision about a particular matter. When there is a surplus of information, our brain cannot process all he information and the effect is similar,” stated Ion Bunduchi. According to him, the only method of counteracting the effect of propaganda and manipulation is to teach the people of Moldova to critically perceive any message.
Attending the meeting, member of the Broadcasting Coordination Council Cristina Mitu said the Broadcasting Code does not define the term of manipulation and the broadcasters often hide or select the information and furnish the public with information according to their political sympathies. “They also disseminate rumors that are perpetuated throughout the day, attack the target through pseudo-information and alter the formation of the public opinion,” she stated, noting that manipulation was broadly witnessed in the last election campaigns.
“The serious problems faced by the media derive from the unwillingness of some to respect the provisions of the Deontological Code and from others’ love for the employer,” said journalist Vitalie Calugareanu.
