Media e geografia, fra popular geopolitics e propaganda

Abstract

This chapter explores the intersections between media, geography, and peace, focusing on how popular geopolitics and propaganda shape public perceptions of conflict. It examines both news media and popular culture as arenas where identities, borders, and narratives of war and peace are constructed, reinforced, or challenged. Drawing on examples from cinema, literature, comics, music, and television—ranging from Game of Thrones to anti-war films and pacifist songs—the authors show how media can normalize certain geopolitical discourses, humanize or dehumanize “the other,” and act as tools for either legitimizing violence or fostering conscientization. The text discusses propaganda techniques, the role of media literacy, and the potential of “peace journalism” to reframe conflict narratives. It also highlights the capacity of popular culture to create alternative spatial imaginaries and counter-mappings that promote peace. Finally, the chapter identifies future research directions, emphasizing the significance of spatial practices and creative methodologies—such as film geography and social media—in co-constructing plural, transcalar geographies of peace.