As filmmaker Jen Senko tries to understand the transformation of her father from a non-political, life-long Democrat to an angry, right-wing fanatic, she uncovers the forces behind the media that changed him completely:  a plan by Roger Ailes, under President Nixon, for a media takeover by the GOP, the Powell Memo urging business leaders to influence institutions of public opinion (especially universities, the media and the courts), and, under President Reagan, the dismantling of the Fairness Doctrine.

As her journey continues, we discover that her father is part of a much broader demographic, and that the story is one that affects us all.  “Brainwashing” unravels the plan to shift the country to the Right over the last 30 years, largely through media manipulation.  The result has lead to fewer voices, less diversity of opinion, massive intentional misinformation and greater division of our country.

This documentary shines a light on how it happened (and is still happening) and leads to questions about who owns the airwaves, what rights we have as listeners/watchers and what responsibility our government has to keep the airwaves truly fair, accurate and accountable to the truth.