Unpacking environmental misinformation: a critical analysis of PragerU videos

This article critically examines the environmental content and the rhetorical devices used in PragerU videos produced since its creation in 2009 until 2024. PragerU, a U.S.-based conservative online platform, is known for disseminating information on political, economic, social, and environmental topics to both adult and K-12 audiences. Drawing on a sample of 41 environmental videos, we use Critical Discourse Analysis to identify 10 recurring misinformation indicators. By applying Gramsci’s concept of hegemony and Althusser’s notion of ideology, this study delves into the specific rhetorical devices employed by PragerU to promote misinformation. By shedding light on how PragerU videos shape public perception of environmental issues, this research contributes to our understanding of the intersection between conservative ideology and environmental discourse. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for fostering an informed public debate and promoting accurate information on pressing environmental challenges. As a countermeasure, the article proposes Freire’s critical pedagogy and the Socratic method as an alternative pedagogical framework, illustrating how educators can equip students to critically evaluate environmental information.