PoliticsJune 30, 2026

counterprogramming

/ˈkaʊntərˌproʊɡræmɪŋ/

Definition

The practice of deliberately staging competing events, media, or messaging to distract from, undermine, or draw attention away from an opponent's organized activities.

Etymology

The word combines the Latin-derived prefix 'counter-' (against or in opposition to) with 'programming,' which refers to the scheduling of events or broadcasts. It originated in television and radio industry jargon, where networks would air a show to compete against a popular program on another channel.

In the news

In the article, Republicans organized protests and mobile billboards specifically timed to occur alongside the Democratic convention to disrupt their momentum. These actions served as a tactical distraction from the Democrats' messaging.

Texas Democrats leave convention united in effort to end GOP’s 30-year hold on state politics

Read the full article ↗

Houston Public Media

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