What is propaganda?, Study notes of Mass Communication

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What is propaganda?

[Latin ‘propagation’]

Persuasive mass communication that filters and frames the issues of the day in a way that strongly favours particular interests; usually those of a government or corporation ( compare agenda setting ). Also, the intentional manipulation of public opinion through lies, half-truths, and the selective re-telling of history. See also disinformation ; manufacture of consent ; public relations. (Source: Oxford Reference Dictionary)

"In the ethical sense, Propaganda bears the same relation to education as to business or politics. It

may be abused. It may be used to over-advertise an institution and to create in the public mind artificial

values. There can be no absolute guarantee against its misuse. "

(Edward Louis Bernays, Propaganda ,1928)

Is it really so? What can be done to make people aware of the techniques put in place to create what Bernays calls “artificial values”? Which purposes do these artificial values serve and by whom are they orchestrated?

Brainstorming: What do you think

propaganda is and how would you define it?

• Provide synonyms for it or hyponyms for it.
• Make examples of propaganda: where did you see it? Why do you think it

was propaganda and for which purpose do you think it was used?

• You probably heard this word being used in History class: in which

occasion was it used and in relation to which historical phenomena was it

used?

Propaganda is everywhere

However it is defined, one thing is clear: contemporary propaganda is everywhere - in

news, information, advertising and entertainment. In a ever-more interconnected and

digitalised world propaganda is impossible to avoid.

Keyword Five Core Concepts Five key Questions

#1 Authorship All media messages are "constructed." Who created this message?

#2 Format Media messages are constructed using a creative language with its own rules.

What creative techniques are used to attract my attention?

#3 Audience Different people experience the same media message differently.

How might different people understand this message differently from me?

#4 Content Media have embedded values and points of view.

What lifestyles, values and points of view are represented in; or omitted from, this message?

#5 Purpose Most media are organized to gain profit and/or power. Why is this message being sent?

You’re entitled to your own opinion but you’re not entitled

to your own facts.

Propaganda techniques