Herbert Schiller described the information received by the poor as
- Entertainment
- Anti-people
- Information slavery
- Information garbage
Correct Ans: (D)
Explanation:
Herbert Schiller, a sharp critic of media power structures, argued that the content delivered to economically disadvantaged groups lacked real value. He coined the term “information garbage” to describe how low-income communities were fed content that was either irrelevant, misleading, or purely distracting.
This type of media did not empower or educate. Instead, it served to keep people disengaged from real issues. For Schiller, such information wasn’t just useless—it was harmful. It created an illusion of awareness while actually withholding the tools needed for critical thinking and meaningful participation in society.
Furthermore, the issue was not accidental. He believed that powerful media corporations controlled the flow of content to maintain social and economic hierarchies. Instead of delivering content that could inspire awareness or action, the media often prioritized entertainment, sensationalism, and superficial messaging. These choices silenced voices that needed to be heard and drowned out messages that could spark change.
In addition, Schiller saw this pattern as a form of control. By filling people’s minds with trivial content, the system kept them from questioning power or demanding equity. The result? A cycle of disempowerment that favored the elite.
Therefore, the correct answer is information garbage. Schiller’s phrase challenges us to think critically about what we consume—and what we’re being kept from seeing.
