Ms22.08

The Ambiguity of Public Cynicism in Democracy

https://doi.org/10.22364/ms22.08 | pp. 70-76 | PDF

Skaidrīte Lasmane
University of Latvia
 https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2827-0470 

Abstract. In terms of the media, there are various means of influencing the audience by informing and conditioning its attitude or forming its mood. Amongst these means, attention should be paid to scepticism and cynicism, leading to destructive, critical attitude, doubt or denial. Cynicism is the questioning or denial of what is generally accepted or accepted by the majority and some particular group. The text emphasizes the dual possible moral evaluation of cynicism: on the one hand, the justifiability and usefulness of cynicism in one situation, on the other hand, its destructive and misleading effect in another, weakening support for social and moral order. The representation of the unveiling of the monument of Gunārs Astra in the media on 20 January 2022 is analysed here as a case of misleading strategic communication.

Keywords: cynicism, ethics, Gunārs Astra, strategic communication, deception

In: Media and Society, 2022. Proceedings of Scientific Papers = Mediji un sabiedrība, 2022. Rakstu krājums. Riga, University of Latvia, 2023. 173 p.