Astroturfing, in PR, is the practice of creating fake grassroots (get it?) pressure groups to alter the public debate on a given topic. One of the groups I've long suspected is the Taxpayers' Alliance, which is always popping up on serious news, critiquing the government (never the Tories). They've always stunk of low membership, lots of money and a dedication to no tax, rather than efficient government spending.
The Guardian has run a small and useful investigation: one of its directors harasses the UK government despite being resident in France, all its funding is from seriously rich Tory donors, and there basically isn't a membership. Instead, it's a particularly selfish Tory front. When you see them on screen, remember that they're just sock puppets for the worst Tory elements.
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