What is Astroturfing and how is it used to deceive the masses.

Sharyl Attkisson speaks on astroturf. What is astroturf?:
The deceitful media practice that organizations and individuals use to create the illusion of support for a cause, product, or idea, when in reality it is orchestrated and funded by hidden interests. They use fake accounts, staged testimonials, or misleading campaigns to manipulate public opinion to make something appear more popular or credible than it actually is.