PROPAGANDA

Differences between education and propaganda Tells people what to think. Teaches people how to think.

Differences between education and propaganda Teaches people how to think. Willing to change opinion on basis of new evidence. Tells people what to think. Inflexible and ignores contradictory evidence.

Differences between education and propaganda Teaches people how to think. Is willing to change opinion on basis of new evidence. Presents all sides of an issue and encourages debate. Tells people what to think. Is inflexible and ignores contradictory evidence. Builds strongest possible case for one view and discourages discussion.

Differences between education and propaganda Teaches people how to think. Is willing to change opinion on basis of new evidence. Presents all sides of an issue and encourages debate. Appeals to reason. Tells people what to think. Is inflexible and ignores contradictory evidence. Builds strongest possible case for one view and discourages discussion. Appeals to emotion.

How propaganda works It calls for an action or opinion that it makes seem wise and reasonable. It suggests that the action or opinion is moral or right. It provides a pleasant feeling, such as a sense of belonging or importance.

Techniques of propaganda

GAINING PEOPLE’S TRUST Propaganda must be believable. It reports information that the audience already knows to seem reliable. It agrees with their existing opinions. Then it introduces a little of something new.

SIMPLICITY AND REPETITION The propaganda message must be easy to understand and remember. It uses: Simple appeals Catchy slogans Repetition “The intelligence of the masses is small. Their forgetfulness is great. They must be told the same thing a thousand times.”

The use of symbols This involves using words and illustrations that bring strong responses from people. The propagandist creates an association in people’s minds between the symbols and their message.

Distortion and concealment Propagandists: Exaggerate the importance of some facts and twist the meaning of others. Conceal facts that might prevent the response they seek. Shift attention away from embarrassing information that cannot be hidden or issues which are controversial or challenging.

lying Deliberate lying as a technique is rare as the lies could be discovered It is used if the propagandists think they can deceive their audience.

censorship Used where the government controls the media and other forms of communication. Governments can also silence people who contradict their official views. (Not as effective today with widespread access to www.)

terrorism Involves the use of terror and violence to punish opponents and warn others. People are likely to support propaganda if they know resisters will be punished.

identification People are encouraged to identify with and have empathy and understanding with a particular group. Propagandists draw people into their world and encourage emotional attachment and agreement with their ideology.

distanciation People are kept at a distance from other groups and encouraged to make judgements and question the motives and actions of the group. The group is represented as different and not having the same values and beliefs as the viewer.

stereotyping Promotes a subconscious negative response based on preconceived ideas about a group. Manipulates emotional involvement and encourages prejudice.

demonisation To get public support for war people need to believe that the enemy is menacing, murderous, brutal and aggressive. There must be no ambiguity about who the public is to hate.

Definitions? One sided communication designed to influence people’s thinking and actions.

The systematic deception of a certain group with the aim of affecting their actions, beliefs or understanding in such a way that conflicts with their would be reasoned actions or beliefs were they to be justly and suitably informed.

An effort to give credence to information that is partly or wholly fallacious (based on a mistaken belief/false).

Information, especially of a biased or misleading nature, used to promote a political cause or point of view.

Information, ideas, or rumours deliberately spread widely to help or harm a person, group, movement, institution, nation, etc.

Propaganda is a form of communication that is aimed towards influencing the attitude of a community toward some cause or position by presenting only one side of an argument.

Institutionalized and systematic spreading of information and/or disinformation, usually to promote a narrow political or religious viewpoint.