One of the most divisive terms in the English language today is the phrase ‘conspiracy theory’. Its stigma has a chilling effect on people and the label subtly has the power to shut down enquiring minds and with them any inconvenient conversations.
But where did the term come from and how does this catch-all phrase affect independent thinkers, international debate and the media today?
In 2004, Professor of Media Studies at New York University, Mark Crispin Miller was labelled as a conspiracy theorist for claiming that right stole the election from John Carey, to elevate George W Bush to power. Today, the author of Loser Take All and Fooled Again says the term ‘fake news’ is being used as a US propaganda exercise to expedite war with Russia.
