Herman (1996), "The Propaganda Model Revisited"

1. The propaganda model is based on media's situation within an economic market.

Herman (1996) argues that media's primary goal is to sustain profitability. Media makers know that government and advertising institutions are a threat to profitability, and so the media must appease these powerful groups. Herman (1996) notes that this process filters the media, as issues like media ownership, advertising, and ideology work to keep certain messages off the media.

Mainstream media allow debates over issues only within a narrow parameter which is determined by market value.

2. Herman (1996) also uses this essay to argue that the propaganda model has been unfairly targeted for critique. He believes that the model remains significant and important, citing then current issues of NAFTA and the creation of the internet as important applications of the model.