Directed by Andrew Rossi, the documentary interviews both victims and purveyors of fake news, as well as journalists and experts who help contextualise its impact. It demonstrates that although false stories are not a new phenomenon, the high usage of modern technology allows for them to be widely disseminated online and creates a breeding ground for misunderstanding. The film deconstructs the fake news process by explaining how it exploits distrust and fear to aid its proliferation, and looks at several past events that can be traced back to disinformation and untruthful claims posted on social media.

The Social Dilemma delves into the ability of social media to spread rumors, false information, social and political manipulations, and bullying content like wildfire. It also explains how devastating this effect has been on the youth as they have become addicted to the opinions and views of others on these platforms to the detriment of their mental health.

This documentary ultimately exposes the increase in teen depression and suicide rate and its connection with the dangers of addiction to the various available social platforms.

The film uncovers the powerful forces of the media that can instill anti-democratic opinions and lure a nation through carefully crafted and fiercely-worded campaigns. It explores how propagandists and well-financed campaign sponsors actively target the most vulnerable members of society.

The documentary shines the lens on the gradual evolution of Senko’s father’s political upheaval, and also presents his gradual shift in personality to fit his newfound beliefs. Her father’s unknowing pursuit for a new agenda leads to the documentary exploring the pressures and persuasion of powerful business leaders, and the dismantling of the Fairness Doctrine, which led to the disillusionment of millions throughout the United States.

Tulisa Contostavlos, a singer and former X-Factor judge was put on trial in a drugs case sparked by Mahmood’s undercover work. She had her charges dropped upon a judge finding reason to believe Mahmood had committed perjury, for which he later received a 15-month prison sentence. The Fake Sheikh Exposed reveals the variety of deceptions and underhanded practices Mahmood engaged in, and how they affected the people he targeted.

The documentary sheds light on the rapidly-evolving advertising industry where teenagers are being persistently marketed to online and in the process become unwitting marketers themselves. These companies use the so-called concept of empowerment as a lure to convince prospective customers, especially youths, into spending their time towards endorsing brand names.

Generation Like delves into the modern social media marketing, specifically by revealing how young people are deeply fascinated by the world of social currency including Likes, Retweets, and other forms of online endorsements.

Zuckerberg is questioned on whether there is a clash between sharing information and privacy of users. The strategy behind Facebook’s immense growth is examined with the company’s COO Sheryl Sandberg, taking a look at its advertising system which allows for specific demographic targeting using information provided by its users.

The documentary features interviews with media historians, reporters like Dan Rather and Rageh Omaar, journalists like Dahr Jamail, WikiLeaks’ Julian Assange, former Congresswoman Cynthia McKinney and Steve Randall of ‘Fairness and Accuracy In Reporting’ in order to glean their perspectives and insights on when honest reporting malevolently transforms into war propaganda.

The documentary features archival footage of several celebrities, such as Bob Geldof and Elton John, and also consults with forensic psychiatrist Park Dietz on why so many people are often attracted to schadenfreude via the notion of celebrity downfall. It also highlights how the ‘industry’ of celebrity thrives on that very interest in celebrity in order to draw in new talent, resulting in a never-ending cycle of rising stars whose downfalls only serve to inspire more rising stars.

The film interviews people like Jimmy Wales and Larry Sanger, Wikipedia’s co-founders, and Phoebe Ayers, a Wikipedia editor and author of How Wikipedia Works, in order to gain their insights on Wikipedia’s double-edged nature. Andrew Keen, a British-American defender of scholarly knowledge, is also highlighted as a counterpoint to the inclusive benefits of Wikipedia’s open-ended nature. Keen puts forth his opinion that any vessel of information simply must be overseen by a panel of learned experts.

From Lyndon B. Johnson to George W. Bush, War Made Easy draws on extensive archival footage to show in great detail how the media have consistently supplied the public with a pro-war message that aligns with the government’s mission of perpetuating war after war. While Alper and Earp’s documentary touches on a variety of themes, its primary focus lies in deconstructing the ties between media, government, and war.