Propaganda and Bias

What is propaganda?  A persuasion technique-It is an attempt to convince others to do something or to change a belief on their own free will.  People are discouraged from thinking from themselves.  Relies heavily on emotional appeal  Ignores logic and reasoning

Types of Propaganda 1. Transfer  A method that builds a connection between things that are not logically connected Ex: A Happy Cow Milk commercial shows a happy, loving family drinking Happy Cow Milk. Goal? The viewer associates happiness with that particular brand!

Types of Propaganda 2. Bandwagon: Think “everyone else is doing it”! Example: “WVIB-all your friends are listening. Are you” Does the ad mention WHY the station is worth listening to?

Types of Propaganda 3. Name-calling: labeling intended to arouse negative feelings  Serves a purpose to represent a person or group as bad without evidence to support the claim Ex: A political ad asks you to vote AGAINST a certain candidate because that candidate is a “warmonger,” “tree-hugger,” or a hypocrite.

Types of Propaganda 3. Card-stacking is based on half-truths.  Half-truths present only PARTIAL information leaving an inaccurate impression Ex: A speaker refers to a person as a “good breadwinner” though he obtained his wealth through intimidation and illegal means. The negative is ignored and only part of the story is told!

Types of Propaganda 5. Stereotyping is a biased belief about group of people based on insufficient or irrelevant evidence. Example: “Surely you don’t plan to discuss the issue with the principal. Principals are just going to get you in trouble and suspend you!”

Types of Propaganda 6. Loaded words: evoke or draw out a very strong positive or negative attitude toward a person, group, or idea.  Creates bias-leans to ONE point of view  Carries a positive or negative connotation  Also carries denotation Example: A product is labeled “all natural” and “100% pure.” The movie was critics’ “first choice” and a “favorite” by all.

Types of Propaganda 7. Emotional appeal statements are used to arouse emotional reactions  Truths are distorted  Irrational desires and fears are provoked

Types of Propaganda 8. Red Herring is a deception in which an irrelevant topic is used to take attention away from the original issue. Example: “You are only against the president’s new law because you don’t understand the issue.” The person’s intelligence is not part of the issue.

Types of Propaganda 9. Slippery slope/ad hoc: If “A” happens, then “B” will happen, and then “C.”  Also known as faulty cause and effect

What do you already know about bias? What is bias anyway? Favoring one side, position, or belief – being partial, prejudiced

Bias vs. Propaganda Bias … is prejudice; a preconceived judgment or an opinion formed without just grounds or sufficient knowledge Propaganda … is a systematic effort to influence people's opinions; to win them to a certain side or view

What is biased language and what is not? Not biased, just an objective observation Frank spends very little money. Biased favorably: Frank is thrifty. Biased unfavorably: Frank is a cheapskate.

Can bias be found in the news? Consider these two sentences in a news story: 1. “A crowd of more than 900 attended the protest.” 2. “Fewer than 1,000 showed up to protest.” How could you say this in a neutral (unbiased) way?

Bias through word choice  The words and tone the writer uses can influence the story. The author’s bias is reflected in his tone.  Using positive or negative words can change how we feel about the news story.  The choice of words and details convey the tone.

Bias through word choice  “The politician presented his well- thought out and intelligent plan to Congress.”  “The politician presented his shoddy and disorganized plan to Congress.”

Identifying and Classifying Ads 1.Which propaganda technique is featured? 2.What clues indicated the technique used? 3.What are they trying to sell?

1.Which propaganda technique is featured? 2.What clues indicated the technique used? 3.What are they trying to sell?

1.Which propaganda technique is featured? 2.What clues indicated the technique used? 3.What are they trying to sell?

1.Which propaganda technique is featured? 2.What clues indicated the technique used? 3.What are they trying to sell?

1.Which propaganda technique is featured? 2.What clues indicated the technique used? 3.What are they trying to sell?

1.Which propaganda technique is featured? 2.What clues indicated the technique used? 3.What are they trying to sell?

1.Which propaganda technique is featured? 2.What clues indicated the technique used? 3.What are they trying to sell?

1.Which propaganda technique is featured? 2.What clues indicated the technique used? 3.What are they trying to sell?

Identifying and Classifying Ads  Bandwagon  Card Stacking  Emotional Appeal  Loaded Words  Name-calling  Slippery Slope/Ad-Hoc  Stereotyping  Transfer