Propaganda - information that is biased or is used in such a way that it misleads the targeted individual, in turn motivating them to think or act a certain way. The "deliberate, systematic attempt to shape perceptions, manipulate cognitions, and direct behaviour to achieve a response that furthers the desired intent of the propagandist. Manipulation of public opinion can be organized or unorganized, conscious or unconscious, politically or socially motivated. Propagandists use arguments that, while sometimes convincing, are not necessarily valid.
Propagandists - use the media for transmitting their messages including news reports, government reports, historical revision, junk science, books, leaflets, cinema, social media, radio, television, and posters. Sometimes they use public figures. Propaganda campaigns often follow a transmission pattern to indoctrinate the target group.
There are standard methods of disseminating propaganda:-
- Attacking one's opponent - as opposed to attacking their arguments.
- Tireless repetition - of an idea.
- Agenda setting - covering a news item frequently and prominently means the audience will regard the issue as more important.
- Using Prominent figures - to support a position, idea, argument, or course of action.
- Appeals to fear - build support by instilling anxieties and panic in the general population.
- Using Prejudice - using loaded or emotive terms to attach value or moral goodness to believing the proposition
- Bandwagons - persuading the audience that there will be inevitable-victory in an attempt to persuade the audience to join in and take the course of action that everyone else is taking.
- The Big Lie - repetition of a complex of events that justify subsequent action.
- Black & White Fallacy - presenting only two choices - "you're with us or against us"
- Truth or Lie - the brilliant propagandist tells the truth, or the part of it necessary for his purpose.
- Cognitive Dissonance & Conditioning - peoples desire for consistency.
- The Common Man - attempts to convince the audience that the message reflects the common sense of the people.
- Personality Cult - an individual uses mass media to create an idealized and heroic public image.
- Dictat - simplify decision making telling the audience exactly what actions to take, eliminating any other possible choices.
- Disinformation - creation or deletion of information.
Spin Doctors - Public relations advisors, pollsters and media consultants who develop deceptive or misleading messages. Their job is to reframe or modify the perception of an issue or event to reduce any negative impact it might have on public opinion. They use a wide range of covert tactics for their political masters:-
- the leak: these are strategic leaks offered by politicians or their staff to journalists, in exchange for no scrutiny. In other words, you only get the leak if you promise not to seek comment from the opposing side, or other critics. This is increasing and is a real problem
- the freeze: punishing journalists for negative reporting
- the spray: a form of bullying and intimidation, this is another way of punishing journalists for negative coverage. Many political reporters who file an unfavourable story can expect to “cop a spray” over the phone after it’s published
- the drip: the act of keeping favoured reporters on a drip of exclusive information
- staying on message: the goal of every public appearance or interview by a politician. In itself, it’s not a malign tactic, but the constant repetition of the same messages without answering questions can be a form of obfuscation
- pivoting: this refers to politicians shifting away from a difficult question or issue to the one he or she wants to talk about
- the vomit principle: this rule of thumb is widely referred to in political offices. The idea is that if you repeat something so often you feel like vomiting, only then is it likely to be cutting through with the public
- playing a dead bat: this refers to not responding to a media inquiry or giving a minimal response in an effort to kill the story
- the truth, but not the whole truth: this refers to being selective with what one reveals, sharing only the most beneficial or least damaging information
- throwing out the bodies/taking out the garbage: these tactics are used to disclose damaging information under the cover of a major distraction. The classic example often used is that of Jo Moore, a media adviser in the Blair government in the UK. On the day of the 9/11 attacks she sent out an email saying “It is now a very good day to get out anything we want to bury. Councillors expenses?” Other common days to bury bad news are Christmas Eve, New Year’s Eve, grand final day, Melbourne Cup day, or a distraction like a royal visit
- get rid of it now: the aim of this tactic is to release all of the damaging information on an issue at one time, so the negative story can be dealt with quickly rather than allowing it to bleed on for weeks in the media. One media adviser I interviewed explained it like this: “It’s a truism in politics - If you’ve got to eat a shit sandwich you’ve got to eat it straight away… The advice was always, ‘Get rid of it now. Go and deal with it now’.”
- fire-breaking: setting up or staging a diversion to distract attention away from another issue. In the film "Wag the Dog" the US president fabricates a war in Albania to distract from a sex scandal. Less extreme examples would be launching a new policy to distract from a negative issue in an attempt to shift the media’s attention
- kite-flying: this means testing or floating an idea before making a commitment to announce it
- feeding or starving a story: feeding a story means keeping it alive by commenting on it in the media. Starving a story means starving it of oxygen by not commenting on it. The theory being that after a while the media will get bored and move on
- keeping out of the media/being a small target: this is a useful tactic if the politician is unpopular and affects the polls, has a controversial portfolio or is an accident-prone poor performer
- flying under the radar: this refers to just quietly getting on with things without publicising it
- dishing dirt: this is where old claims suddenly emerge publicly before or during an election in an effort to smear someone’s reputation. The “dirt” can come from outside or inside a party. It’s a tactic used to try to destroy someone’s career
- dog-whistling: using specific subtle language and messages to target a particular section of the audience
- wedging: this tactic involves raising an issue
that is popular in the electorate and sensitive to the party you are
opposing to “wedge” them in to a difficult position and sow division in
the party.
NB - With thanks to "The Conversation"
If any of this sounds familiar I hope you will be as worried as I am.
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