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PROPAGANDA
DEFINITIONS
Definitions of Propaganda
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From Latin propagatio:
to grow, to spread, to multiply.
Propaganda = to disseminate, to
propagate
but also:
distort, manipulate, brainwash…
Or, maybe propaganda is:
any statement from a source
we don’t like
(Joseph Schumpeter, 1966)
Or, maybe…
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We cannot define it but we know
when we see it.
When in 1964 Supreme Court Justice Potter
Stewart tried to define what is obscenity, he
said, "I shall not today attempt further
to define the kinds of material I
understand to be embraced, but I know
it when I see it . . .”
Is propaganda just another form
of persuasion? For example:
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Marketing = selling
School = teaching
The Church = proselytizing
Politics = propagandizing
The Military = indoctrinating
Jowett and O’Donnell Definition
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Propaganda is
the deliberate, systematic attempt
to shape perceptions, manipulate cognitions, and
direct behavior
to achieve a response that furthers the desired
intent of the propagandist
Definition: further refinements
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A sub-set of both information and persuasion.
Tries to look like informative communication
and persuasion
Tries to control information flow
Manages public perception and opinion
Well-being of the audience is not a primary
concern.
Definition: further refinements
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Does not seek mutual understanding or mutual
fulfillment of needs.
Is deliberate and systematic
(often) Conceals true purpose
(often) Conceals propagandist’s true identity
Ultimate object of propaganda is behavior
change
Kellner’s definition.
Kellner (1992).The Persian Gulf TV War (p. 194)
Propaganda is
a mode of discourse
intended to persuade, to manipulate, and to
indoctrinate its audience
into accepting policies
that they might not otherwise support.
Kellner’s definition.
Kellner (1992).The Persian Gulf TV War (p. 194)
It attempts to squash questioning and criticism
by dramatizing evil and concealing facts that
might be embarrassing for the forces
disseminating the propaganda.
Kellner’s definition.
Kellner (1992).The Persian Gulf TV War (p. 194)
Propaganda is a discourse that legitimates certain
interests and polices while providing a onesided, simplified, and distorted, but not
necessarily totally untrue, view of events or
people.
Kellner’s definition.
Kellner (1992).The Persian Gulf TV War (p. 194)
Propaganda might not be purely false.
Propaganda is not mere lies and must appeal to
facts, though often selectively.
Harold Lasswell
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Propaganda is “the expression of opinions or
actions carried out deliberately by individuals or
groups with a view to influencing the opinions or
actions of other individuals or groups for
predetermined ends and through psychological
manipulations”.
Jacques Ellul
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Propaganda is concerned with influencing an
individual psychologically by creating
convictions and compliance through
imperceptible techniques that are effective only
by continuous repetition.
Propaganda employs encirclement on the
individual by trying to surround man by all
possible routes, in the realm of feelings as well
as ideas, and by assailing him in both his
private and his public life
Types of propaganda
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Defined by
the purpose of propaganda (the ends)
the methods used (the means)
the source
Political propaganda
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Political propaganda appears when a group,
usually a government or one of its agencies, uses
techniques or influence in order to achieve
political goals which are clearly distinguished
and quite precise
Sociological propaganda
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Sociological propaganda: an attempt to
influence individuals to accept or assimilate the
dominant economic and political ideologies/
beliefs of the society
Propaganda of Agitation
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Propaganda of Agitation: an attempt to agitate
emotions. Leads to changes.
Usually subversive and oppositional
Propaganda of Integration
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Propaganda of Integration: Seeks to obtain
stable accepting behavior
The source: (usually concealed)
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Vertical (from the top)
Horizontal (from within, same level)
White (identified, information tends to be
accurate, but biased)
Black (unidentified/misidentified and false)
Gray
The Methods (the means)
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Concealed Purpose
Disinformation
The False Statement (pretended to be true)
The Deliberate Lies
The Suggestion of falsehood
The Suppression of Truth
The Slanting of News
Propaganda and Control of
Information
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withholding information
releasing information at predetermined times
releasing information in juxtaposition with
other information
manufacturing information
Propaganda and Control of
Information
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communicating information to selective
audiences
distorting information
suppression of minority opinion.
control of media
presenting distorted information from what
looks like a credible source
Information control / distortion
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Giving texts to be published in newspapers
Favoring journalists who cooperated
Planting fake “letters to the editor”
Planting stories in foreign newspapers and then
publicizing them as true (disinformation)
Legitimizing information through
legitimate sources
Publicizing
Propagandist
Planting
Receiving
Legitimate
source
The Public
Facilitative communication
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Public Diplomacy:
To explain and promote U.S. domestic and
foreign policy, cultural life, artistic and
scientific accomplishments, American way of
life, etc.
Through broadcast, print publications,
organizing cultural events, subsidizing U.S.
artists abroad, etc.
Successful public diplomacy:
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Voice of America popularizing jazz music
abroad (since the 1950s)
Sponsoring opinion journals
Teaching English language
Subsidizing Scientific Conferences and
Research
Fulbright Program for scholars
Even promoting counterculture
The United States Information Agency
(USIA)
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USIA maintains 190 posts in 142 countries.
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USIA explains and supports American foreign
policy and promotes U.S. national interests
through information programs overseas.
The agency promotes mutual understanding
between the United States and other nations by
conducting educational and cultural activities.
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EDUCATIONAL AND CULTURAL
EXCHANGE ACTIVITIES
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The best known of these is the Fulbright
exchange program, which operates in over
125 countries.
Additionally, each year over 2,400 foreign
leaders and professionals come to the
United States at USIA's invitation as
International Visitors
BROADCASTING
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Voice of America: 660 hours of
programming weekly in 53 languages
Radio and TV Martí (in Spanish to Cuba),
WORLDNET Television,
Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty
Radio Free Asia.
INFORMATION PROGRAMS
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Electronic and Printed Materials:
The Washington File information service
provides full transcripts of speeches,
Congressional testimony, and materials
providing analysis of key issues.
INFORMATION PROGRAMS
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Information Resource Centers:
Over 100 information resource for rapid
delivery of information to foreign leaders in
government, media and academia.
In some developing countries, USIA
supports public-access libraries that
encourage in-depth study and understanding
of American society and institutions.
INFORMATION PROGRAMS
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Foreign Press Centers:
In Washington, New York, and Los
Angeles to assist resident and visiting
foreign journalists.
The centers work cooperatively with
privately sponsored international press
centers in Chicago, Houston, Atlanta,
Miami, and Seattle.