Manipulation in the Disclosure of the Securitate Files : The Case of Mona Muscă

Abstract

The book presents the reader with an applied analysis of how the concepts of information and manipulation were illustrated in the Romanian press when the Securitate files were revealed, based on the case of Mona Musca˘, a controversial topic that was widely debated by most dailies at the time. One of the most important roles played by the press is agenda setting – the role of setting priorities on the individual’s agenda. Journalists draw up an imaginary list of topics of primary interest for public debate and forming different currents of opinion. The analyzed press segment revealed the predilection for a speech condemning Mona Musca˘. The message received by the target audience was not a balanced, objective one, but one that contradicts the deontology of the journalistic profession.