6. Detecting
Propaganda
What is propaganda?
It is a sustained, organized campaign to influence
others to accept a decision. It makes use of the
technique known as “the big lie”.
There is a good propaganda, too, such as when a
campaign is organized to get the public drive safely or
to help prevent fires, etc.
7. What is propaganda?
“Propaganda is the
deliberate, systematic
attempt to shape
perceptions, manipulate
cognitions, and direct
behavior to achieve a
response that furthers
the desired intent of the
propagandist.”
—Jowett &
O'Donnell, Propaganda
and Persuasion
12. Five characteristics of propaganda
Propaganda is in the eye
of the beholder.
“I’m persuading. The
other guy is using
propaganda.”
Propaganda has a
strong ideological bent.
example: PETA
Propaganda is
institutional in nature. It
is practiced by organized
groups
governments,
corporations, social
movements, special
interests
Propaganda relies on
mass persuasion
television, radio,
Internet, billboards
Propaganda tends to
rely on ethically
suspect methods of
influence.
deception, distortion,
misrepresentation, or
suppression of
information.
13. Propaganda Tricks
Name Calling—”get personal”
Hasty/False Generalization—sweeping statements
without basis
Testimonials—prominent and much-admired persons
Bandwagon—appeals to your desire to belong to the
group
Transfer—makes you accept a person, idea or thing
by showing that it is related to other persons.
Card Stacking—deliberately withholding information
