astroturfing

See also: Astroturfing

English

Etymology

From AstroTurf (“a synthetic substitute for grass”), a play on grass roots, as in “fake grass roots”. Attributed to U.S. Senator Lloyd Bentsen in an unidentified 1985 public statement: "[A] fellow from Texas can tell the difference between grassroots and Astroturf."[1]

Noun

astroturfing (uncountable)

(originally US politics, now social media, marketing) The disguising of an orchestrated campaign as a "grass-roots" event, i.e., a spontaneous upwelling of public opinion.

Synonyms

front organization

Related terms

Translations

disguising of an orchestrated campaign

Chinese:
Mandarin: please add this translation if you can
Finnish: astroturffaus, mielipiteiden ostaminen, tekonurmetus
German: Vortäuschen einer Basisbewegung n, Tarnung einer Kampagne als Volksbewegung f
Portuguese: astroturfing m

References

Henry Young (2009 November 2) “Astroturf Lobbying Organizations: Do Fake Grassroots Need Real Regulation”, in Illinois Business Law Journal‎, archived from the original on 2010-03-27

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[1] Henry Young (2009 November 2) “Astroturf Lobbying Organizations: Do Fake Grassroots Need Real Regulation”, in Illinois Business Law Journal‎, archived from the original on 2010-03-27