In the Age of Information, accessing data you need has never been easier. Our phones, tablets, TVs, and computers provide a constant flood of information. Whether in public or private, you are able to view sports, the weather, entertainment, or news almost instantly. However, this also means that it is easier than ever to be targeted by propaganda. But, what is propaganda exactly?
Propaganda is the systemic dissemination of biased or misleading information to influence public opinion.
Propaganda and advertising are similar, but while advertising sells a product, propaganda sells an idea. Propaganda is about power. It’s a tool those in power use to maintain it, and a tool for those who want it. It relies on misconstruing or falsifying truth in order to incite anger and fear. Here are three primary forms of false information that are important for all of us to know.
- Misinformation: false or inaccurate information that is communicated regardless of an intention to deceive
- Disinformation: false information deliberately and often covertly spread to influence public opinion or obscure the truth
- Malinformation: information that is reality-based, but often taken out of context to inflict harm on a person, organization, or country
Each of these forms of communication leverage powerful, dominant narratives that spread across information and communication networks. These forms of false information are leveraged by powerful people to keep harmful systems of control that are rooted in white supremacy, like the death penalty and the prison industrial complex, as the status quo. These forms of communication have a harmful impact, and most often hurt Black and Brown communities.
Because propaganda is a marketing technique, some politicians and political campaigns will use disinformation tactics to sway voters. Additionally, media outfits, lobbying organizations, and power groups like the Fraternal Order of Police use common techniques to advance an agenda that maintains a legal system that harms everyone it touches. By arming ourselves with knowledge about how misinformation, disinformation and malinformation work, we can look out for others in our community, and call out propaganda tactics when we see them.
In a follow-up piece, we’ll discuss specific narratives that some politicians will use to drive up fear in their voter base. First, here are a few strategies you may have already noticed already and can continue to look out for in the future:
- Bandwagon Strategy: The bandwagon method of propaganda capitalizes on the fear of missing out. It is a way to recognize other supporters, and fosters a sense of belonging. That’s why political campaigns give away signs and print t-shirts and sell hats, especially with patriotic colors.
- Creating Scapegoats: Scapegoats are people or groups that are constructed to be the “enemy.” They are often unjustly blamed, demonized, and subsequently victimized by an outraged community. Some politicians will use scapegoating tactics to demonize black and brown people, poor people, immigrants, women, youth, trans people, people with disabilities, gangs, Jews, Palestinians, and other marginalized groups. Recently, politicians used racist dog whistles during the Covid-19 pandemic that directly led to a rise in hate crimes against Asian Americans.
- Fear, Uncertainty, and Doubt: Paranoia and fear are useful tools of the propagandists. Scare tactics are useful in driving voter bases away from the opposing candidate or position. Fear is an effective motivator, and it clouds judgment and inhibits the ability to make informed decisions.
- Glittering Generalities: These vague words and phrases don’t have any substance. The words are emotionally charged to evoke positive feelings and gain approval from the audience. Former President Trump’s slogan, “Make America Great Again,” is an excellent example. How did the presidency intend to make America great? When was it last great? Similarly, President Biden’s slogan, Build Back Better also doesn’t say anything about what, who, or how, but it does rely on tropes that will appeal to many, and conjure a vision that’s both malleable and appeals to emotions. Both slogans appeal to the audience without having any details or facts.
It’s important to remember that any political party can use propaganda. It’s not just the opponents you don’t like. It is a tool that any person, organization, or company can use. Furthermore, anyone can be swayed by propaganda, which is why being able to identify it will help us keep our communities safe. In the next piece, we’ll be discussing the impact on Black and Brown communities. In the meanwhile, you can read these links below to learn more about what was discussed here.
Links for further reading:
https://www.postalley.org/2021/02/14/propaganda-101-trumps-tools-of-the-trade/
https://www.propwatch.org/propaganda.php
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9168424/
https://www.counterpunch.org/2022/06/08/scapegoating-as-propaganda/
https://www.splcenter.org/fighting-hate/extremist-files/ideology/conspiracy-propagandists
https://newrepublic.com/article/144592/trump-creating-propaganda-state
https://classroom.synonym.com/what-are-the-seven-techniques-of-propaganda-12080912.html
