The mainstream media, and many alternative channels, purposefully present the same narrative because this is being dictated from the top down. In the United States, for example, six corporations govern the entire media, and there are ties between these as well. We deny the possibility of centralised power because it appears information is coming from such a range of sources. We therefore dismiss individual claims that don’t stand up against the mainstream consensus. It feels easier to accept the idea that these divergent viewpoints are controversial, misinformed or crazy, even though we can’t explain what benefit would be gained from putting oneself in the firing line to disclose unpopular information. The MSM stifle open discussion by manipulating others words to justify their own narrative. They nitpick at convenient segments and distort the underlying intention, and then extrapolate that to diminish someone’s entire reputation. This detracts from the wider message, convincing us instead to rely on institutions with conflicts of interest and financial power to source information. The rampant censorship of free speech by big tech violates the human right for free expression. This stifles public discourse which promotes informed choice. Instead of making up our own minds, our perception is manipulated through propaganda, undemocratic fact checking (run by the same conglomerates), and algorithms with no oversight or transparency. This violates the foundational code of authentic journalism. Select public figures are purposefully placed in strategic positions of power with a vast amount of wealth, enabling them to dictate and control public perception under the cloak of their establishments. In reality, they are conducting the bidding of their superiors who govern from the shadows. Before blindly trusting information, it serves well to investigate the companies and individuals who are presenting the information. Start by following the money trail.