Conspiracy believers valorize distrust of mass media as proof of undeceived insight

Evidence

Another stratagem is to distance themselves ostentatiously from mainstream institutions. By claiming to disbelieve mass media and other sources, believers can argue that they have avoided the mind control and brainwashing used to deceive the majority. This also accounts in part for their fondness for what in the following chapter I call stigmatized knowledge—that is, knowledge claims that run counter to generally accepted beliefs. — Michael Barkun, A Culture of Conspiracy, 98

Categorization

• DEFINE: Introduces the book’s central term ‘stigmatized knowledge’ in passing — worth flagging as the book’s key conceptual tool.
• XREF: Reverses the media-effect claims in Communication as Culture; conspiracy distrust of broadcast media is the mirror image of Hall’s audience research. — connects to: Conspiracy megaphones like InfoWars transform forum rumor into mass broadcast. — Anna Merlan, Republic of Lies, 222; Conspiracy promoters deny fake news while accusing mainstream media of it — Anna Merlan, Republic of Lies, 105; Conspiracists distrust mass media because those institutions brand their claims stigmatized — Michael Barkun, A Culture of Conspiracy: Apocalyptic…, 117 (+1 more)

Broader Connections

• Conspiracists falsely portray themselves as skeptical critical thinkers #expands (0.90) — Russell Muirhead and Nancy L. Rosenblum, A Lot of People Are Saying, 265
• Conspiracists distrust mass media because those institutions brand their claims stigmatized #complicates (0.80) — Michael Barkun, A Culture of Conspiracy, 117