Is falling trust in media to blame? A shocking new survey suggests that more than half of Generation Z would prefer a strong, self-appointed leader to a democratically elected one.
Most young 'want a UK dictatorship'
Is falling trust in media to blame? A shocking new survey suggests that more than half of Generation Z would prefer a strong, self-appointed leader to a democratically elected one.
For Max Hayward, it should have been an honour. The 25-year-old had been asked to interpret for the British Ambassador at a meeting with Joseph StalinDictator of the Soviet Union. Stalin has been accused of numerous human rights abuses, including sentencing around a million political opponents to death and prison..
But when they came face to face with the Russian leader, Hayward was unable to speak. His knowledge of Stalin's crimes left him literally struck dumb.
Between 1936 and 1938, Stalin had carried out a purgeTo rid an unwanted thing, or remove an "undesirable" group. of those he thought disloyal to him. In what became known as the Great Terror, almost 700,000 people were officially executed.
There were also unofficial executions and deaths due to bad treatment in prison. The total number of Stalin's victims is believed to be over one million.
Stalin was without doubt one of the most monstrous people who ever lived. Despite this, there are some in Russia who admire him. They say that he was the "strong leader" the country needed.
Now most young people in Britain would like to have a leader in the same mould, according to a survey which will be published in full on Thursday,
The findings are part of a Channel 4 report called Gen Z: Trends, Truth And Trust. One of the questions was whether the UK would be better off with a strong, unelected leader.
Of those aged between 13 and 27, 52% said yes. In addition, 33% said that the UK would be better off ruled by the army.
The head of Channel 4, Alex Mahon, says young people are confused about whom to trust: "There is clear evidence of disengagement from democracyA system of government based on the idea of rule by the people., fuelled by the online Pied PipersA German fairy tale character, who uses a pipe to lure away children. It is used today as a metaphor for people who use false promises to attract people. who wilfully subvert truths."1
The poll also found that 58% of Gen Z trusted social media posts from friends as much as they trusted reports by actual journalists. On top of that, 42% of males put their trust in influencers like Andrew TateAn American-British media personality who has become notorious for controversial videos. He has been charged with rape and human trafficking. .
Is falling trust in media to blame?
Yes: The Channel 4 report establishes a clear link between it and the rise of extreme views. If traditional news sources did their job better, Gen Z would not be under the sway of dangerous influencers.
No: It is politicians who are responsible. By failing to deal with the problems of a stressed-out generation, and failing to promote moderate views, they have put democracy in peril.
Or... It is the fault of social-media algorithmsAny set of rules followed by a computer. In the context of social media, "the algorithm" refers to the intelligent AI that learns the interests of the user and presents them with posts that it thinks will interest them., which have helped to spread fake news and hooked users on feeds that reduce their attention spans and stop them engaging properly with serious issues.
Joseph Stalin - Dictator of the Soviet Union. Stalin has been accused of numerous human rights abuses, including sentencing around a million political opponents to death and prison.
Purge - To rid an unwanted thing, or remove an "undesirable" group.
Democracy - A system of government based on the idea of rule by the people.
Pied Pipers - A German fairy tale character, who uses a pipe to lure away children. It is used today as a metaphor for people who use false promises to attract people.
Andrew Tate - An American-British media personality who has become notorious for controversial videos. He has been charged with rape and human trafficking.
Algorithms - Any set of rules followed by a computer. In the context of social media, "the algorithm" refers to the intelligent AI that learns the interests of the user and presents them with posts that it thinks will interest them.
Most young ‘want a UK dictatorship’

Glossary
Joseph Stalin - Dictator of the Soviet Union. Stalin has been accused of numerous human rights abuses, including sentencing around a million political opponents to death and prison.
Purge - To rid an unwanted thing, or remove an "undesirable" group.
Democracy - A system of government based on the idea of rule by the people.
Pied Pipers - A German fairy tale character, who uses a pipe to lure away children. It is used today as a metaphor for people who use false promises to attract people.
Andrew Tate - An American-British media personality who has become notorious for controversial videos. He has been charged with rape and human trafficking.
Algorithms - Any set of rules followed by a computer. In the context of social media, “the algorithm” refers to the intelligent AI that learns the interests of the user and presents them with posts that it thinks will interest them.