Narratively

The (Literally) Unbelievable Story of the Original Fake News Channel

Once upon a time in Guatemala, the CIA hired a cocky American actor and two radio DJs to launch a revolution and oust a president. Their playbook is being used against the U.S. right now. Read all 7 parts in order below.

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The (Literally) Unbelievable Story of the Original Fake News Network

Once upon a time in Guatemala, the CIA hired a cocky American actor and two radio DJs to launch a revolution and oust a president. Their playbook is being used against the U.S. right now.

How to Subvert a Democracy, Stage 1: Propaganda and Puppets

Before launching an information assault, build out a network of agents and scapegoats that will allow your own government to maintain “plausible deniability.”

How to Subvert a Democracy, Stage 2: Condition the Masses

In advance of full-blown psychological warfare, seeds of doubt and conspiracy must be planted and watered.

How to Subvert a Democracy, Stage 3: Create Your Own News

To get the people on your side, you need to change the media narrative. A few hired hacks and a “passive sabotage program” will do the trick.

How to Subvert a Democracy, Stage 4: Divide and Conquer

You can rile up the public by confusing and polarizing them. The key is to exploit their own existing vulnerabilities.

How to Subvert a Democracy, Stage 5: Showdown

After legitimizing your fake news network, transition into all-out information warfare. (And bring in a few real guns, too.)

How to Subvert a Democracy, Stage 6: Cover Your Tracks

Once you have obtained the future you were fighting for, it’s time to rewrite history.