# 23. Media-Techno manipulation ## 23.5. Methodology/Refinements/Sub-species ### 23.5.6. Punditry This is a type of "Confirmation bias", which occurs when a victim is given information which they accept because it confirms what they already believe. Much of the media operates by taking advantage of this phenomenon. The media provide fuel for certain beliefs, because they pre-filter the world to match existing world-views. If their particular filter is like your filter, then you like and agree with that particular media outlet. If it isn't, then you will dislike and disagree with that media outlet. This form of manipulation requires a combination of self-delusion by the victim in combination with an orchestrated strategy by a particular media organ. As a method of political manipulation it is so pervasive and obvious that one wonders why it still works, but ask anyone who reads a newspaper if they have a particular preference and also suggest alternative titles. Generally the reader will have strong, fixed ideas on the subject of their newspaper or TV channel preferences and will be loath to change their reading or viewing habits. ### 23.6.6. Avoidance of Punditry Again, there is little to be done about this, apart from ignoring such low quality media tricks. Although this won't change much, you can also write on the newspaper's blogs or maybe on other newspaper blogs to discredit their manipulative behaviour.