This program explores the political life and ideas of the controversial author, linguist and radical philosopher, Noam Chomsky. Highlighting his analyses of the media, this program focuses on democratic societies where populations not disciplined by force are subjected to more subtle forms of ideological control. Examples of media deception permeate Chomsky's critique of the forces at work behind the daily news. He encourages his listeners to extricate themselves from "this web of deceit" by undertaking a course of "intellectual self-defense."

Spoken in English with optional subtitles in French, Dutch and Spanish on DVD only. DVD release of the 1992 documentary film/video.

Part 1. Thought control in a democratic society (95 min.) Part2. Activating dissent (72 min.).DVD: Disc 1 is the main program and Disc 2 is 45 min. Specialfeatures: Noam Chomsky reflects on the film ; Extended excerpts fromthe 1969 "Firing Line" debate with William F. Buckley Jr. ;Never-before-seen 1971 discussion with Michel Foucault ; Filmmakerbios and production notes.