Power User with Taylor Lorenz
How the Media Tricks You Into Loving the Police
May 8, 2025
Alec Karakatsanis, an award-winning civil rights lawyer and author of 'Copaganda: How Police and the Media Manipulate Our News,' dives into the pervasive influence of pro-police narratives in media. He discusses the distinction between media's focus on minor crimes like shoplifting versus significant issues like wage theft. Alec reveals how fear-driven narratives contribute to mass incarceration and authoritarian policies. He also highlights propaganda tactics that distort the public's understanding of safety and justice, urging a critical engagement with media narratives.
39:10
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Quick takeaways
- The concept of copaganda reveals how media selectively highlights crime narratives, shaping public perception to favor punitive measures over addressing systemic social issues.
- Viral content and anecdotal evidence on social media disproportionately amplify fears about crime, influencing political discourse and increasing calls for law enforcement funding based on exaggerated concerns.
Deep dives
Understanding Copaganda
Copaganda refers to a type of propaganda that serves the interests of the punishment bureaucracy, which includes police, prosecutors, and prisons. It narrows public perceptions of safety by instilling fear of certain demographics, such as poor individuals or people of color, while ignoring substantial harm caused by those in positions of power, like wage theft and environmental crimes. The widespread belief that police and incarceration are necessary solutions to crime overshadows the root causes of violence, such as poverty and lack of access to education and healthcare. This framing fosters public support for more punitive measures instead of addressing the underlying social issues that contribute to crime.
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