Activity 4, Propaganda
The term "propaganda" originated with the Roman Catholic Church and its efforts to propagate its faith. The creation of the Congregation for the Propagation of the Faith was partly a response to the Protestant Reformation. It set up a centralized control and coordination of the Church's basic religious messages.
After the World War I, it became evident that many claims made by the U.S. government during the war blaming Germany for the responsibility for the war or for many purported German atrocities were false. Considerable criticism of the U.S. government's manipulation of information and public opinion during the war ensued, and the term "propaganda" entered into popular usage referring to a deceitful communication. The term was subsequently used to refer to many communications of totalitarian regimes, such as the fascists and Marxists, which promoted their particular ideologies. The "Big Lie" technique was popularized by Josef Goebbels, the Nazi minister of propaganda, who believed that people would believe anything, no matter how blatantly false, as long as it was repeated consistently and confidently.
Theoretically, the opposite of propaganda is education which tries to present all-important sides of controversial issues and encourages listeners to make up their own minds. Propaganda presents only one side and tries to influence the listener's opinion. Propagandists often present their activities as "education." It is important for students to have some experience with propaganda techniques.
Propaganda devices are used every day by advertisers who wish to sell their products or services. These techniques are usually used by politicians and editorial writers as well. But in times of conflict, propaganda techniques are used brazenly--usually on all sides. News correspondents in principle try to objectively examine particular positions on issues. However, correspondents often become tools of propagandists promoting particular perspectives. This is particularly true during times of conflict.
Student Questions
What is propaganda?
What is the difference between education and propaganda?
Why do nations use propaganda?
Why do journalists often abet the spread of propaganda?
Return to Activity 4.
Go to the Contents page for International Conflict and the Media.
Go to the Bibliography.