We fed the public a line of deceit, dishonesty, a…
“We fed the public a line of deceit, dishonesty, a fabrication of statistics and figures. We succeeded because the time was right and the news media cooperated. We sensationalized the effects of illegal abortions, and fabricated polls which indicated that 85 percent of the public favored unrestricted abortion, when we knew it was only 5 percent. We unashamedly lied, and yet our statements were quoted [by the media] as though they had been written in law.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The quote exposes deliberate manipulation of public opinion through false statistics and media collusion to advance a political agenda.
In simple terms: False data used to sway public opinion.
Key Takeaway
Question media integrity and verify sources.
Themes
politics
media
ethics
propaganda
truth
Mood
cautious
critical
skeptical
Type
political
controversial
When to use this quote
- policy debates
- public health campaigns
- media reporting
- activist strategies
Key Concepts
Manipulation
public opinion
fabrication
media collusion
Questions to Reflect On
- How can societies guard against statistical deception?
- What responsibilities do journalists have in fact‑checking?
A Different Perspective
Reliance on false data can backfire when exposed.