The document discusses the history of propaganda and its power and influence over audiences. It explores how new technologies like the printing press, film studios, and later photocopiers empowered more people to spread propaganda and potentially start revolutions. Examples are given of propaganda used during major events like the World Wars and Cold War to influence public opinion and rally support for different political causes. The document also discusses shifting views on audiences, moving from seeing them as passive targets to recognizing their active role in interpreting and spreading propaganda messages.

1. power &
the
audience

2. the origins of media studies

3. 15
17

4. ...anyone with access to a printing
press can start a revolution

5. Martin Luther
did.

6. do revolutions
always start
with media?

7. the sinking of the
Lusitania in 1915 was
used to turn opinion
against Germany and
bring the US into the
first world war

8. “Valencia must not fall
into the clutches of
fascism. We must
fortify!”
Spanish Civil War

9. 1933

10. ...anyone with access to a
movie studio (and a printing
press) can start a revolution

11. the
power
of the
image

12. Hitler’s propaganda
focused on the
superiority of the
so-called Aryan
race...

13. ...and the
inferiority of other
races, including
Jews
(“THAT is to blame
for the war!”)

14. or how about
“British jobs for British workers”?

15. “I like Fidel
Castro and
his beard” -
Bob Dylan

16. this is where we all live

17. propaganda is useful as a recruitment tool

18. can you ‘deconstruct’
this poster?

19. why are these iconic posters so effective?

20. doesn’t matter what
the language is –
we know what it
means

21. the iconography
becomes part of the
vernacular
vernacular |vəˈnakjʊlə|
noun
1 (usu. the vernacular) the
language or dialect spoken by
the ordinary people in a
particular country or region

23. direct mode of address
breaking the “fourth wall”
an effective sales
technique

24. concerns about
how Hitler came
to power became
concerns about
the power of the
media

25. are we so easily led?

26. the Russians
thought so!

27. Nazi propaganda in
Norway, 1944
“The USA will save
Europe’s culture from
destruction. By what
right?”
CULTURAL TERRORISM

28. the hypodermic
needle theory
a passive audience, vulnerable to media effects

29. the propaganda
war was fought
on all fronts,
from Hamburg
to Hollywood
and the BBC

30. printing
presses and
movie cameras
rolled...

31. the British government
even prepared
propaganda in case of
defeat

32. The German, British, and American film industries
all produced propaganda films during World War 2
— even Disney!

33. Russian constructivist
poster art is
immediately
recognisable

34. but heroic imagery of workers was not confined
to the Soviet Union

35. propaganda was
stepped up during
the Cold War

36. spectacular public displays of power are a
feature of life under totalitarian governments

37. if you believe the audience can be influenced
by such imagery — what else is possible?

38. “keep calm and carry on” –
Soviet Style

39. the full force of
racist language
and sexist imagery
was used

40. “Keep calm and
carry on” -
American style

41. what were the
effects of daily
exposure to such
imagery?

42. the real enemy is the
enemy within!

43. 1964

44. anyone with access to a Xerox
machine can start a revolution

45. in the 60s, the counter-culture created its
own propaganda

47. the peace movement
and the counterculture
used the imagery of
war and cold war
propaganda to promote
dissent

48. 19
85

49. anyone with access
to a printing press
can start a revolution

51. it’s no longer enough to see the
audience as passive and helpless

52. the audience is active

54. the object of
propaganda can
(and will) turn
the tables

55. remix culture

56. no, they really don’t

57. such propaganda gives rent-a-
cops excuses to harass citizens

58. who’s going to win this propaganda war?

59. or this one?

60. 20
“anyonewithaccessto...?”