Manufacturing copyright ‘consensus’
A fascinating analysis of a 'coalition of interest' at work—strategies often alleged but rarely detailed with such clarity.
Geist shows how three Canadian entertainment industry organizations have manufactured the appearance of widening concern over copyright piracy and growing evidence of its impact.
"It is not just that these reports all receive financial support from the same organizations and say largely the same thing. It is also that the reports each build on one another, creating the false impression of growing momentum and consensus on the state of Canadian law and the need for specific reforms" Extract from Michael Geist
Geist notes that experienced politicians seem to understand what's going on here. That's to be expected: this is nothing more than an elaborate, effective and, in the scheme of things, acceptable lobbying strategy.
But that knowledge doesn't shield polticians—or the public debate—from the misrepresentation of either the data or the 'consensus' unless the insight is widely shared. Few make the effort that Geist has made to evaluate either.
Posted on 06/26 at 09:39 AM.
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