EOTO 2 - Propaganda

Propaganda is information, especially of a biased or misleading nature, used to promote or publicize a particular political cause or point of view. It’s the dissemination of information to influence public opinion and can be done through facts, arguments, rumors, half-truths, or lies. Overall, propaganda demonstrates a systematic effort to manipulate the beliefs, attitudes, or actions by employing symbols, including words, gestures, banners, monuments, music, clothing, hairstyles, designs on items like coins and postage stamps, etc. 

A propagandist is someone who produces or spreads propaganda. They deliberately further a cause or damage an opposing one by disseminating ideas, facts, or allegations. To do so, they have a specific goal or set of goals and select points, arguments, and displays of symbols to present them with the intent of maximum effectiveness for their goal achievement. Propagandists may distort the relevant facts or lie. They may also attempt to distract reactors’ attention from information outside of their propaganda, as the reactors are the ones they’re trying to influence. 

The implications of propaganda include both good and bad effects through positive and negative messages. Propaganda conveys messages about healthy eating habits, the effects of smoking, drug use, violence prevention, and drunk driving, which are all advising a beneficial change. For example, in the CDC’s “Tips From Former Smokers” Campaign, Terrie Hall explicitly shows the reality of what smoking can do to you. It advises people to steer clear of smoking by generating fear of a dangerous possibility. Propaganda can also be used to promote unity, solidarity, productivity, or harmony among people when conflict arises. Utilizing propaganda to help people or promote positive change are the two main ways its use can be for good. 

Propaganda is also heavily used in times of war. A prime example of war propaganda is Uncle Sam. Uncle Sam is a personification or symbol of the United States. Most historians believe that the name came from a New York merchant named Sam Wilson, who his friends knew as “Uncle Sam” (though the origins are subject to dispute). He began appearing shortly after the War of 1812 and became popular worldwide by the early 1900s. Uncle Sam has been a symbol of American patriotism throughout WWI and WWII by the government in many different ways, including military recruiting posters, stamps, magazines, and newspapers. Persuading the American public came close to the importance levels of manufacturing bullets, planes, and more in the time of war. Galvanizing public support became the government’s primary campaign, with Uncle Sam being a propaganda example to achieve their goals. 

A more recent example of propaganda deals with the Biden administration, Ukraine, and Russia. NBC News published an article on April 6th, “In a break with the past, US is using intel to fight an info war with Russia, even when the intel isn’t rock solid.” US officials claimed to indicate that Russia may be preparing to use chemical agents in Ukraine, which Biden even said publicly. However, a few US officials came to NBC News and said that there was actually no evidence of Russia bringing any chemical weapons near Ukraine. The US supposedly released the information to “deter Russia from using the banned munitions.” This false claim is just one of the examples of the Biden administration breaking recent precedent. The administration deploying declassified information as part of an information war on Russia is their attempt at keeping President Vladimir Putin “off balance.” Furthermore, officials have reported that intelligence agencies are devoting more staff members to work on the declassification process to avoid betrayal of sources and methods since the unprecedented intelligence releases have been that frequent and voluminous. 

In a world as digital as ours today, propaganda is more than just a way of attempting to sway one’s opinion. I see it as a pathway to instantaneous participation in any situation or conflict no matter where you are. Unfortunately, this immediate access we also have leads to breaking connections, whether it be with a family member, relative, or friend whose opinions differ. Propaganda now allows audiences to actively participate in its creation and spread, rather than just being passive consumers. It takes on exponential communication as it can go from one to another to many more than a traditional one-way street, making it efficient yet increasingly unruly.