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Media, journalism & propaganda: videos Hacker News recommends
Media: journalism, news analysis, propaganda, misinformation, news satire, Last Week Tonight, VICE documentaries, media criticism, advertising and persuasion, conspiracy theories, UFOs. Below: every video in this topic that at least three HN users linked with real commentary, in at least three different months (102 commentarys, 39 documentarys, 22 comedy videos), best-scored first, with the comments on each video page.
- 17 HN recommenders 15 months 2020–2026HN treats it as the definitive, compassionate documentary on why people fall into conspiracy theories.
- 13 HN recommenders 13 months 2016–2026D David Lessig · documentaryHN recommends it often and strongly as an eye-opening account of marketing psychology and the engineering of consumer society.
- 15 HN recommenders 11 months 2012–2026B Ben Woodhams · comedy videoRecommended as the standard companion to any Adam Curtis film, since it lampoons the style and gives reasons to take his claims with skepticism.
- 13 HN recommenders 9 months 2017–2025J JustAdamCurtis · documentaryHN commenters recommend it constantly in threads about advertising, propaganda and manipulation as the origin story of the consumer society.
- 7 HN recommenders 8 months 2014–2023Recommended during Afghanistan withdrawal threads as a sobering look at why the transition to local forces was failing.
- 6 HN recommenders 8 months 2019–2024Commenters repeatedly recommend it in tax haven and offshore finance threads as an excellent, low-budget overview of British offshore finance.
- 10 HN recommenders 8 months 2022–2026HN links it whenever threads cover book spam, AI-written ebooks or passive-income hustle culture.
- 9 HN recommenders 8 months 2015–2026R Road Less Marveled · videoHN commenters hold it up as a model of persuasive public speaking and as the go-to reminder of why public broadcasting deserves funding.
- 10 HN recommenders 8 months 2019–2024K KOMO News · documentaryHN commenters cite it in homelessness threads about San Francisco and Seattle as an eye-opening, widely viewed argument for treatment-first policy, though some see it as pro-law-enforcement framing.
- 10 HN recommenders 8 months 2017–2026HN repeatedly points to it as the eye-opening explanation of media consolidation and scripted local news.
- 7 HN recommenders 7 months 2017–2026HN invokes it constantly in debates over originality, copyright and AI training, and calls it the best explanation of creativity as remixing.
- 9 HN recommenders 8 months 2021–2026Cited heavily in Roblox threads as a damning investigation into child labor, exploitation, and weak moderation, and suggested viewing for parents.
- 12 HN recommenders 6 months 2022–2026It is the go-to long-form critique of crypto that HN commenters recommend whenever skeptics ask for a thorough, well-researched takedown.
- 5 HN recommenders 6 months 2018–2025Recommended as a funny but depressing investigation, and the usual link in threads on predatory publishing and fake citations.
- 7 HN recommenders 6 months 2014–2017HN commenters use it as the go-to funny, accessible explanation of net neutrality and credit it with driving public comments to the FCC.
- 6 HN recommenders 5 months 2016–2020C crisalist · documentaryStrongly and repeatedly recommended as a visually distinctive documentary and a guide to postmodern ideas on politics, truth and technology.
- 8 HN recommenders 7 months 2014–2024HN treats it as the standard accessible explainer on civil forfeiture, linked in nearly every thread about police seizures.
- 6 HN recommenders 6 months 2015–2021HN uses it in TPP and trade-deal threads as a clear example of ISDS being used by corporations against governments.
- 8 HN recommenders 6 months 2020–2022HN commenters send people here for a detailed first-hand account from the pilot, and some say it changed their view on the sightings.
- 5 HN recommenders 6 months 2022–2024HN recommends it as an accessible overview of the data broker industry in privacy discussions.
- 6 HN recommenders 6 months 2017–2026D Drinks and Dice · documentaryFrequently recommended as an absorbing look at hot-metal typesetting and the end of the linotype era.
- 2 HN recommenders 6 months 2015–2020K Kazza0423 · documentaryClimate-skeptic commenters link it as evidence against the CO2 consensus, while others cite it as an example of climate-change denial.
- 6 HN recommenders 6 months 2014–2023Go-to reference in lottery threads for the point that earmarked lottery revenue does not really add to school funding.
- 7 HN recommenders 6 months 2020–2025HN commenters recommend it as a more thoughtful, balanced and personal take on cancel culture than usual discussion.
- 5 HN recommenders 5 months 2020–2026HN recommends it as a calm, evidence-based debunking whenever the Navy UFO videos come up.
- 8 HN recommenders 6 months 2021–2025J Johnny Harris · explainerHN links it in right-to-repair and McFlurry-machine threads as the go-to in-depth explainer of the franchisee and Taylor arrangement.
- 5 HN recommenders 5 months 2015–2023HN points to it as the best way to explain to ordinary people why privacy and mass surveillance matter.
- 5 HN recommenders 5 months 2009–2025A Alex Felker · interviewHN returns to it constantly as the definitive critique of adversarial TV punditry, still seen as relevant to polarized media and online discourse.
- 5 HN recommenders 5 months 2024–2025Offered as an accessible, well-made explainer to share in threads on scam texts, crypto fraud and scam compounds.
- 5 HN recommenders 5 months 2016–2024HN points to it as an informative, fact-heavy overview of the opioid crisis and Purdue Pharma.
- 5 HN recommenders 5 months 2019–2023HN refers to it as the direct first-person account from the pilot in UFO and UAP threads, though some find it unconvincing.
- 5 HN recommenders 5 months 2014–2025C College of DuPage · lectureHN recommends it to engineers as a skeptical counterweight to technology boosterism, especially for those building AI and consumer tech features.
- 4 HN recommenders 4 months 2021–20252 20th Century Time Machine · interviewHN commenters bring it up in threads on propaganda, influence operations and platforms like TikTok, saying it feels more relevant than ever.
- 8 HN recommenders 5 months 2022–2025Pointed to as the clearest, evidence-based debunk of the Gimbal footage, and a model of how to analyze such claims.
- 6 HN recommenders 5 months 2017–2024Boeing threads cite it as early evidence of deep cultural and quality problems at Boeing, years before the 737 MAX crashes.
- 4 HN recommenders 4 months 2020–2026N Nicholas Marshall · interviewCited in propaganda and disinformation threads, though some commenters present it more as a prediction of current events than established analysis.
- 6 HN recommenders 5 months 2019–2025A Anti-Defamation League · talkQuoted heavily in moderation and free speech debates, particularly the line about freedom of speech and reach.
- 4 HN recommenders 5 months 2023–2025M Miniminuteman · commentaryHN points people to it as an entertaining, thorough takedown of Hancock's pseudoarchaeology whenever his claims come up.
- 4 HN recommenders 4 months 2015–2018HN cites it in threads on churches, tax exemption and religious fundraising, as the go-to explainer on seed faith televangelism.
- 3 HN recommenders 5 months 2019–2022HN commenters recommend it as a clear explanation of how disinformation campaigns work and where today's tactics came from.
- 7 HN recommenders 4 months 2021–2025HN commenters recommend it as the best single, entertaining overview of Tether's dubious history, and cite it when arguing Tether lacks real USD backing.
- 3 HN recommenders 4 months 2019–2024HN commenters recommend it as an entertaining and thoughtful look at flat earthers that frames the belief as a distrust of failing institutions.
- 2 HN recommenders 4 months 2018–2026HN recommends it as a quick, accessible introduction to the propaganda model from Manufacturing Consent.
- 4 HN recommenders 3 months 2017–2025HN recommends the series for explaining the tactics and mentality of bad-faith online arguments.
- 4 HN recommenders 4 months 2020–2026HN commenters cite it in moderation and politics threads as a clear account of why hard rules fail against dogwhistles and how isolated people get recruited.
- 6 HN recommenders 4 months 2019–2023HN commenters repeatedly cite it as a checkable, math-based debunking of the famous UFO clips whenever UAP stories come up.
- 4 HN recommenders 4 months 2015–2020HN people point to it as an entry point to the Hancock and Carlson lost-civilization theories, while noting the ideas are controversial.
- 4 HN recommenders 4 months 2013–2025HN invokes it as the best spoof of how news is formulaically produced, often when discussing media quality or automated news.
- 4 HN recommenders 4 months 2021–2025HN recommends it as an entertaining explanation of chroma keying, green screens and how cameras process color.
- 4 HN recommenders 4 months 2012–2020HN shares it as a short summary of why copyright length matters and the history of Disney-driven term extensions.
- 5 HN recommenders 4 months 2015–2020HN commenters point to it as a clear account of how minor infractions punish the poor.
- 4 HN recommenders 4 months 2014–2026HN recommends it as a funny but sobering overview of nuclear weapons safety failures.
- 3 HN recommenders 3 months 2013–2023HN commenters recommend it as a rare, eye-opening look inside North Korea, though one notes such tours are staged.
- 3 HN recommenders 4 months 2021–2026HN points to it in housing-cost threads as the standard example of government-built housing keeping rents down.
- 4 HN recommenders 4 months 2021–2025HN points to it as a well-researched, accessible overview of PFAS in PFAS-related threads.
- 6 HN recommenders 4 months 2021–2024HN cites it as a clear explainer on sponsorship and ad disclosure rules and their inconsistency across media.
- 4 HN recommenders 4 months 2020–2021HN commenters recommend it as a methodical debunking of early lab-leak claims.
- 5 HN recommenders 4 months 2014–2023L Luxury Eyesight · news clipHN repeatedly cites it in any thread on why glasses are expensive, as the eye-opening explanation of Luxottica's monopoly.
- 3 HN recommenders 3 months 2020–2024B Bellingcat · news clipHN cites it as a striking confession obtained through caller ID spoofing and social engineering.
- 3 HN recommenders 3 months 2020–2021Praised as a remarkable piece of social engineering, spoofed caller ID plus pretexting, that produced direct evidence of the poisoning.
- 3 HN recommenders 4 months 2021–2025Recommended in urbanism threads as a well-sourced account of how car dependency was manufactured.
- 4 HN recommenders 4 months 2020–2026U US National Archives · documentaryHN commenters bring it up in political threads as a classic warning about divisive agitators and fascism, and suggest it be remade for each generation.
- 3 HN recommenders 3 months 2016–2018HN commenters recommend it as an introduction to shills, astroturfing and lobbyist influence on media, especially in threads about fake news and online forums.
- 3 HN recommenders 3 months 2019–2024Commenters cite it, with Oliver's other two opioid segments, as a well-researched case against pharma marketing and the Purdue settlements.
- 3 HN recommenders 3 months 2016–2019HN commenters recommend it as an entertaining and sophisticated primer on reading science reporting critically.
- 3 HN recommenders 3 months 2020–2025HN points to it as an accessible, well-made mix of education and entertainment for anyone wanting to understand the Xinjiang situation.
- 3 HN recommenders 3 months 2017–2024G GBPPR2 · lectureHN commenters link it to argue that cultural subversion and normalization are playing out today, though mostly as a reference in unrelated threads.
- 3 HN recommenders 3 months 2021–2022HN recommends it as a thorough, nuanced perspective on the Rowling controversy and on cancel culture from a trans creator.
- 3 HN recommenders 3 months 2021–2025HN commenters call it the definitive, thorough answer to whether vaccines cause autism and recommend it as an entertaining deep dive.
- 4 HN recommenders 3 months 2023–2024S Sean Munger · documentaryHN commenters recommend it as the most exhaustive, well-sourced rebuttal of JFK conspiracy theories, often when new assassination claims surface.
- 4 HN recommenders 3 months 2016–2020J Jonathan Pie · commentaryShared after the 2016 election and later as a pithy account of why Trump won and why political division needs to be moved past.
- 3 HN recommenders 3 months 2019–2024HN resurfaces it during Boeing safety stories as early, firsthand evidence that production and management problems long predate the 737 Max.
- 4 HN recommenders 3 months 2014–2022HN recommends it as a good overview of predatory lending and the problems with payday loans.
- 4 HN recommenders 3 months 2020–2026B Blyledge · commentaryHN cites it as a vivid example of coordinated messaging and media consolidation, though some mentions use the title only as a quip.
- 3 HN recommenders 3 months 2020–2025D Deadspin · commentaryHN cites it as a vivid example of media consolidation and coordinated messaging.
- 3 HN recommenders 3 months 2019–2025Cited as a thoughtful video essay and for its model of in-group hierarchy in political threads.
- 3 HN recommenders 3 months 2020–2025L Louie V · videoCommenters point to it whenever AI-generated content, propaganda or internet garbage comes up, since Kojima seemed to predict it in 2001.
- 3 HN recommenders 3 months 2019–2020C Coffee Break · commentaryCited in threads on YouTube algorithms and creator complaints as a data-driven look at the trending tab.
- 3 HN recommenders 3 months 2019–2025Cited in threads on corporate politics, outrage and branding as an explanation of how companies use controversy and social stances for profit.
- 3 HN recommenders 3 months 2020–2022Recommended as a primer on recognising trolling and dog-whistle tactics in online discussion.
- 3 HN recommenders 3 months 2022–2023HN points to it as an informative explainer on why many carbon offset schemes are not genuine.
- 3 HN recommenders 3 months 2018–2019HN commenters recommend it as an interesting on-the-ground perspective on Confucius Institutes and Chinese influence operations.
- 3 HN recommenders 3 months 2023–2024Cited in threads about hard-to-cancel subscriptions and timeshare scams as an informative overview of the sketchy exit industry.
- 3 HN recommenders 3 months 2021–2023T Tom Nicholas · commentaryHN cites it in discussions of sponsored science content and Veritasium's credibility, usually as the go-to critique.
- 3 HN recommenders 3 months 2019–2025K k1mk1mk1m · interviewRecommended and quoted in threads on media bias, press and power, and self-censorship.
- 3 HN recommenders 3 months 2009–2020HN recommends it as practical advice on dealing with tech press, whenever someone asks how to pitch TechCrunch and similar outlets.
- 3 HN recommenders 3 months 2017–2023HN cites it as a quick, entertaining explainer to correct the myth of the frivolous coffee lawsuit.
- 3 HN recommenders 3 months 2012–2023N No Unicorns · commentaryHN cites it in discussions about how media should report mass shootings, as an expert-backed argument for not glorifying perpetrators.
- 3 HN recommenders 3 months 2023M Merged Podcast · podcast episodeHN commenters point to it for Hanson's grabby aliens reasoning as an unusual framework for thinking about UFO behavior and intelligent life in the cosmos.
- 3 HN recommenders 3 months 2015–2023Cited to illustrate false balance and the trouble with giving all sides equal weight.
- 3 HN recommenders 3 months 2016–2026HN links it in personal finance threads as an entertaining explanation of how fees erode retirement savings.
- 3 HN recommenders 3 months 2019–2025HN returns to it in discussions of algorithmic feeds, misinformation and parasocial relationships, as a clear and thoughtful talk.
- 3 HN recommenders 3 months 2017–2021Cited as a short overview of the propaganda model whenever commenters discuss media influence and consent manufacturing.
- 3 HN recommenders 3 months 2019–2022HN cites it as first-hand, independent reporting on Xinjiang that does not rely on state-sanctioned access.
- 2 HN recommenders 2 months 2019–2021Referenced in threads on social media manipulation and junk content as an interesting miniseries, though one commenter criticized its ExpressVPN ad read.
- 2 HN recommenders 2 months 2019–2023R Rebel Wisdom · interviewRecommended to people interested in propaganda, misinformation and how to improve public discourse.
- 2 HN recommenders 2 months 2018–2021HN recommends it as an accessible, funny explanation of why vaccines matter.
- 3 HN recommenders 2 months 2014–2025S Samusek TDS · commentaryHN people cite it as a vivid demonstration of how editing shapes perception in documentaries and reality television.
- 2 HN recommenders 2 months 2014–2026Recommended as a funny, clear explanation of native advertising whenever sponsored content in media is discussed.
- 2 HN recommenders 2 months 2021–2024HN recommends it as the boring, convincing debunking of the Gofast, FLIR and Gimbal videos, which commenters say ended UFO hype for them.
Showing the 100 best-scored of 249. Use search to find the rest.
Questions
What is the most recommended media, journalism & propaganda video on Hacker News?
In Search Of A Flat Earth by Folding Ideas: HN treats it as the definitive, compassionate documentary on why people fall into conspiracy theories.
How is this media, journalism & propaganda list ranked?
By HackerTube's score: the number of distinct months in which an HN comment recommended the video, plus half a point for every month with a strong recommendation. One viral thread counts less than steady recommendations over years.
Where do the videos come from?
From every Hacker News comment between 2007 and 2026 that linked a YouTube video, labeled by an AI model as a recommendation, a citation, a joke or a criticism. The list is published by HackerTube under ODC-By 1.0; this edition adds indexable pages and the comment context.
Video list and Hacker News comment labels from HackerTube (prompted by @karpathy), released under ODC-By 1.0, built on the open-index/hacker-news archive. Hacker News data is provided by Y Combinator; comments remain the work of their authors. Video titles, channel names and thumbnails belong to their creators and are shown via YouTube. HackerTube Watch is an unofficial edition. Data export of 2026-10-31.