What is the difference between grassroots and astroturfing?

What is the difference between grassroots and astroturfing?

Grassroots refers to movements that originate from the community level, driven by ordinary people. Astroturfing, on the other hand, is a deceptive practice where organizations create a false impression of grassroots support, often funded by corporations or special interest groups.

Can you give me examples of each?

Sure! An example of a grassroots movement is the Civil Rights Movement, which was driven by community activists. An example of astroturfing is when a corporation funds a campaign that appears to be a grassroots effort to promote a product or policy, like fake social media accounts supporting a new law.

How can I identify astroturfing?

You can identify astroturfing by looking for signs like overly polished messaging, lack of transparency about funding, and a sudden surge of support that seems orchestrated rather than organic.

Why is astroturfing considered unethical?

Astroturfing is considered unethical because it manipulates public opinion by creating a false narrative of widespread support, undermining genuine grassroots efforts and deceiving the public.