Changes

[[File:Ukraine Army with Nazi Wolsfangel.PNG|right|250px|thumb|Officially approved for distribution in English propaganda poster by the Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, “Thank You Ukrainian Army” with the Nazi Wolfsengel patch, a [[hate]] symbol,<ref>https://www.adl.org/education/references/hate-symbols/wolfsangel</ref> emblazoned on the sleeve.<ref>https://reportingradicalism.org/en/hate-symbols/movements/nazi-symbols/wolfsangel</ref>]]

[[File:4-29-26.GIF|right|650px|thumb|[[White House]] [[war propaganda]] from the 2026 [[Iran war]].]]

'''Propaganda''' ([[Latin]] ''propaganda'' feminine ablative gerundive of ''propago'' I am spreading) is any idea, fact, rumor, or lie, or a wider body of same, which one circulates, publishes, or otherwise spreads by deliberate conscious effort in order to advance or hinder any given cause. This includes activity by a government to instill fear of that government's enemies, either in time of [[war]] or as a prelude to war, especially if the information that the government is promulgating is false. [[Edward Bernays]] is often considered the father of modern propaganda.

'''Propaganda''' ([[Latin]] ''propaganda'' feminine ablative gerundive of ''propago'' I am spreading) is any idea, fact, rumor, or lie, or a wider body of same, which one circulates, publishes, or otherwise spreads by deliberate conscious effort in order to advance or hinder any given cause. This includes activity by a government to instill fear of that government's enemies, either in time of [[war]] or as a prelude to war, especially if the information that the government is promulgating is false. [[Edward Bernays]] is often considered the father of modern propaganda.

"Small groups of persons can and do make the rest of us think what they please about any given subject. But they are usually proponents or opponents of every propaganda, both of whom are equally eager to convince the majority."

"Small groups of persons can and do make the rest of us think what they please about any given subject. But they are usually proponents or opponents of every propaganda, both of whom are equally eager to convince the majority."

 

{{clear}}

 

{{quotebox-float|"We are Harry Potter and William Wallace, the Na’vi and Han Solo. We’re escaping from Shawshank and blowing up the Death Star. We are fighting with the Harkonnens and challenging Thanos.<ref>[https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2023/02/nato-gets-destroyed-for-tweet-comparing-ukraine-russia-conflict-to-harry-potter-and-other-famous-fantasy-films-responses-are-hysterical/ NATO Gets DESTROYED For Tweet Comparing Ukraine-Russia Conflict To Harry Potter And Other Famous Fantasy Films], By Cullen Linebarger, Feb. 23, 2023. ''[[Gatewaypundit]]''.</ref>}}

 

 

 

== Identifying propaganda ==

== Identifying propaganda ==

[[File:Ukrainian nazis.PNG|right|500px|thumb|More Nazi propaganda from [[Russo-Ukraine war]].]]

[[File:Photo 2026-03-05 21-35-48.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Apparantly, [[IDF]] troops presented their [[passport]]s at the border entry checkpoint.]]

[[File:Photo 2026-03-08 15-40-23.jpg|right|300px|thumb|]]

The specific sayings or modes of presentation that constitute propaganda are legion. The common element in them is an appeal to ''emotion'' rather than to [[logic]]. Truth or fact, logically presented, might stir the emotions—but a presentation ''manifestly intended'' to stir the emotions demeans the information being presented. Of course, if the information is false to begin with, then propagandistic methods might be the only methods that would serve.

The specific sayings or modes of presentation that constitute propaganda are legion. The common element in them is an appeal to ''emotion'' rather than to [[logic]]. Truth or fact, logically presented, might stir the emotions—but a presentation ''manifestly intended'' to stir the emotions demeans the information being presented. Of course, if the information is false to begin with, then propagandistic methods might be the only methods that would serve.

# Distortions of fact.

# Distortions of fact.

# Extreme pronouncements, which are a form of [[Logical fallacy#Overgeneralization|over-generalizations]].

# Extreme pronouncements, which are a form of [[Logical fallacy#Overgeneralization|over-generalizations]].

# Intimidation. This may include [[Logical fallacy#Proof by numbers|arguing from the numbers]] or reminding an opponent of the power of the particular individual or group engaging in the intimidation—or of an individual or group for which one claims to speak.

# Intimidation. This may include [[Logical fallacy#Proof by numbers|arguing from the numbers]] or reminding an opponent of the power of the particular individual or group engaging in the intimidation—or of an individual or group for which one claims to speak.

# Using abridged or out-of-context quotes to give a false impression, aka [[Quote mining]].

# Using abridged or out-of-context quotes to give a false impression, aka [[Quote mining]].

#Missing context

#Missing context

#Obfuscation and simulation

#Obfuscation and simulation

#Gaslighting or assumed conclusions

#[[Gaslight]]ing or assumed conclusions

#Shaming language and insults, using words that end in 'ist', 'ite', or 'phobe' augmented by 'gush' (or emotion) and outrage

#Shaming language and insults, using words that end in 'ist', 'ite', or 'phobe' augmented by 'gush' (or emotion) and outrage

#Lies and [[demonization]]

#Lies and [[demonization]]

#Propaganda payload, the moral of the story

#Propaganda payload, the moral of the story

 

=== Book: Manufacturing Consent: The Political Economy of the Mass Media ===

=== Book: Manufacturing Consent: The Political Economy of the Mass Media ===

 

''[[Manufacturing Consent]]: The Political Economy of the Mass Media'' is a 1988 book by Edward S. Herman and [[Noam Chomsky]]. The book advocates the position that the mass communication media of the United States "are effective and powerful ideological institutions that carry out a system-supportive propaganda function, by reliance on market forces, internalized assumptions, and self-censorship, and without overt coercion", through propaganda and the censoring of dissenting viewpoints.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Herman|first1=Edward S.|last2=Chomsky|first2=Noam|title=Manufacturing Consent|publisher=Pantheon Books|location=New York|page=306}}</ref> The title refers to consent of the governed, and is derived from the phrase "the manufacture of consent" used by the American writer, reporter and political commentator Walter Lippmann in Public Opinion (1922).<ref>p. xi, ''Manufacturing Consent''.  Also, p. 13, Noam Chomsky, ''Letters from Lexington: Reflections on Propaganda'', Paradigm Publishers 2004.</ref> The book was given the [[George Orwell|Orwell]] Award.

''[[Manufacturing Consent]]: The Political Economy of the Mass Media'' is a 1988 book by Edward S. Herman and [[Noam Chomsky]]. The book advocates the position that the mass communication media of the United States "are effective and powerful ideological institutions that carry out a system-supportive propaganda function, by reliance on market forces, internalized assumptions, and self-censorship, and without overt coercion", through propaganda and the censoring of dissenting viewpoints.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Herman|first1=Edward S.|last2=Chomsky|first2=Noam|title=Manufacturing Consent|publisher=Pantheon Books|location=New York|page=306}}</ref> The title refers to consent of the governed, and is derived from the phrase "the manufacture of consent" used by the American writer, reporter and political commentator [[Walter Lippmann]] in ''Public Opinion'' (1922).<ref>p. xi, ''Manufacturing Consent''.  Also, p. 13, Noam Chomsky, ''Letters from Lexington: Reflections on Propaganda'', Paradigm Publishers 2004.</ref> The book was given the [[George Orwell|Orwell]] Award.

Subsequent to the books publication Chomsky does talk censorship in the corporate media (Firing or non-promotion of journalists taking opposing viewpoints, corporate advertisers having influence of news content, corporate publishers discriminating against various viewpoints, etc.).

Subsequent to the books publication Chomsky does talk censorship in the corporate media (Firing or non-promotion of journalists taking opposing viewpoints, corporate advertisers having influence of news content, corporate publishers discriminating against various viewpoints, etc.).

===The role of 'fact checkers' and information experts===

===The role of 'fact checkers' and information experts===

Stavroula Pabst, a writer in [[Greece]], published an article on the nefarious purpose of fact-checking and 'disinformation' debunking.  The piece explains this by going back to the writings of the French philosopher Guy Debord and his musings about 'spectacles'.<ref>[https://libya360.wordpress.com/2023/01/03/guy-debords-warning-of-the-role-of-the-expert-a-philosophical-perspective-on-the-rise-of-fact-checking/ Guy Debord’s Warning of “The Role of the Expert”: A Philosophical Perspective on the Rise of Fact-Checking], Stavroula Pabst, JANUARY 3, 2023.</ref>

Stavroula Pabst, a writer in [[Greece]], published an article on the nefarious purpose of fact-checking and 'disinformation' debunking.  The piece explains this by going back to the writings of the French philosopher Guy Debord and his musings about 'spectacles'.<ref>[https://libya360.wordpress.com/2023/01/03/guy-debords-warning-of-the-role-of-the-expert-a-philosophical-perspective-on-the-rise-of-fact-checking/ Guy Debord’s Warning of “The Role of the Expert”: A Philosophical Perspective on the Rise of Fact-Checking], Stavroula Pabst, JANUARY 3, 2023.</ref>

{{Quotebox|"While anti-disinformation efforts proliferate, what’s missing from the conversation is a discussion about power. Of course, the powerful have reasons for wanting to combat what they consider to be “disinformation” — they want their version of the [[truth]] to become ours. Many commentators observe as such, noting that so-called disinformation researchers, fact-checkers, and experts are often [[partisan]] in nature, and themselves frequently disseminate things that are not true."}}

{{Quotebox-float|"While anti-disinformation efforts proliferate, what’s missing from the conversation is a discussion about power. Of course, the powerful have reasons for wanting to combat what they consider to be “disinformation” — they want their version of the [[truth]] to become ours. Many commentators observe as such, noting that so-called disinformation researchers, fact-checkers, and experts are often [[partisan]] in nature, and themselves frequently disseminate things that are not true."}}

[[Glenn Greenwald]] commented, basically, anyone calling themselves a “misinformation expert” or “disinformation reporter” is a partisan [[fraud]], trying to make their [[activism]] seem [[scientific]].

[[Glenn Greenwald]] commented, basically, anyone calling themselves a “misinformation expert” or “disinformation reporter” is a partisan [[fraud]], trying to make their [[activism]] seem [[scientific]].

{{quotebox-float|"But a larger force is at work within the rise of fact-checking and other counter-disinformation efforts. That force is our society’s current arrangement of appearances, the totality of social relations mediated by images, or spectacle. Spectacle, as elucidated in Debord’s ''The Society of the Spectacle'', is a concept that can help us to understand seemingly unconnected, yet deeply intertwined phenomena that have come to fruition as the [[economy]] has subjugated [[society]] to its needs (as opposed to the other way around), and thus recover our ability to experience life directly.

{{quotebox-float|"But a larger force is at work within the rise of fact-checking and other counter-disinformation efforts. That force is our society’s current arrangement of appearances, the totality of social relations mediated by images, or spectacle. Spectacle, as elucidated in Debord’s ''The Society of the Spectacle'', is a concept that can help us to understand seemingly unconnected, yet deeply intertwined phenomena that have come to fruition as the [[economy]] has subjugated [[society]] to its needs (as opposed to the other way around), and thus recover our ability to experience life directly.

"As its dominance over our everyday lives grows complete, the spectacle has become powerful enough to turn our understanding of what is [[true]] upside down. Because spectacle replaces real life with a mere mediated representation of life that cannot be experienced directly, it provides a framework where mass deceptions and [[lie]]s can consistently and convincingly appear as true. Thus, spectacle is perhaps one of the most effective tools we have to explain how [[elitism|elite]] deceptions, including fabrications and lies about [[imperialist]] [[war]]s like those in [[Iraq war|Iraq]] and [[Syrian war|Syria]], can consistently go unpunished and even unnoticed. As such, it follows that spectacle can help us understand how modern fact-checks and counter-disinformation initiatives can consistently do the opposite of what they claim, as many have observed."}}

"As its dominance over our everyday lives grows complete, the spectacle has become powerful enough to turn our understanding of what is [[true]] upside down. Because spectacle replaces real life with a mere mediated representation of life that cannot be experienced directly, it provides a framework where mass deceptions and [[lie]]s can consistently and convincingly appear as true. Thus, spectacle is perhaps one of the most effective tools we have to explain how [[elitism|elite]] deceptions, including fabrications and lies about [[imperialist]] [[war]]s like those in [[Iraq war|Iraq]] and [[Syrian war|Syria]], can consistently go unpunished and even unnoticed. As such, it follows that spectacle can help us understand how modern fact-checks and counter-disinformation initiatives can consistently do the opposite of what they claim, as many have observed."}}

== Counter-propaganda ==

==Positive and negative propaganda==

The best contrary testimony against propaganda is the truth. This typically means revealing the full, previously undisclosed context and exposing [[Logical fallacy|logical fallacies]]. Confusingly though, skillfully produced propaganda may itself be masked as counter-propaganda.

[[File:Ukrainian nazis.PNG|right|500px|thumb|More Nazi propaganda from [[NATO war in Ukraine]].]]

'''Positive propaganda''' inspires people with beliefs in an intelligible form, simplifies and "chews" them. Positive propaganda is aimed at social stability, harmony, education of people on the basis of generally accepted values. It is carried out in the interests of ordinary people, who are the addressees of propaganda.  

Beyond this, it includes [[discernment]] of news organs that allow themselves to be utilized for propaganda purposes, discernment of propagandistic theater projects and refusal to patronize the same, and discernment of the content of political commentary, and its judgment, not merely on matters of fact, but also on the ''presentation'' of that fact. As has been said above, presentation even of perfectly relevant fact in a manner intended to manipulate the emotions, demeans the facts thus presented and also demeans the presenter. Above all, therefore, those who decry propaganda ought not engage in it themselves, nor give even the appearance of the same.

'''Negative propaganda''' can incite hatred between social strata, develop and maintain conflicts between them, turn people of different views against each other, etc. An important basis for negative propaganda is "the end justifies the means", that is, whatever is committed, this is normal, since there was a need. Negative propaganda subjugates the people it influences, makes them treat other people badly and confront them. People exposed to such propaganda accept beliefs and [[stereotype]]s that are beneficial to certain people. Negative propaganda creates a parallel reality in the eyes of people, which has its own system of values, beliefs and views. Such propaganda easily affects people without [[critical thinking]] and with high suggestibility. This allows a narrow group of people to manage a huge mass of people and act in the interests of this very group. For example, during the [[NATO war in Ukraine]], the official NATO Twitter account posted a message comparing the Ukraine conflict to famous fantasy films such as [[Harry Potter]], [[Star Wars]], [[Braveheart]], and more.  The tweet read:

{{quotebox-float|"We are Harry Potter and William Wallace, the Na’vi and Han Solo. We’re escaping from Shawshank and blowing up the Death Star. We are fighting with the Harkonnens and challenging Thanos.<ref>[https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2023/02/nato-gets-destroyed-for-tweet-comparing-ukraine-russia-conflict-to-harry-potter-and-other-famous-fantasy-films-responses-are-hysterical/ NATO Gets DESTROYED For Tweet Comparing Ukraine-Russia Conflict To Harry Potter And Other Famous Fantasy Films], By Cullen Linebarger, Feb. 23, 2023. ''[[Gatewaypundit]]''.</ref>}}

== Soft power ==

== Uses of propaganda in society today ==

''See also:'' [[Soft power]]

In addition to civility, the idea of truth suffers from the habitual use of propaganda. Current-events organs that willfully publish propagandistic content not only contribute to the problem, but also demean themselves. In one famous example ([[Rathergate]]), a [[television]] broadcast network circulated for weeks certain memoranda, the contents of which were damaging to the incumbent President of the United States ([[George W. Bush]]), though those who obtained those memoranda knew, or ought to have known, that they were forgeries.

[[Soft power]] is a nation's capacity to cause others to do things through persuasive/non-coercive means. The American political scientist Joseph Nye introduced the concept of "soft power" in the late 1980s. Brand Finance, the world's leading brand valuation consultancy, annually list the countries with the strongest soft power.

[[Theater]] has been an instrument of propaganda since before such things as current-events organs existed. Significantly, however, whenever theater has lent itself to propaganda, it has tended to demean itself. Even [[William Shakespeare]] was not immune to this - certain of his Histories, especially ''Richard the Third'' acted as propaganda for the ruling [[Tudor]] dynasty whose founder, [[Henry VII]], had defeated [[Richard III]] to become king.

 

=== Brand Finance's 2022 ranking of the countries with the most soft power ===

 

Brand Finance's 2022 ranking of the 10 countries with the most soft power<ref>[https://brandfinance.com/press-releases/global-soft-power-index-2022-usa-bounces-back-better-to-top-of-nation-brand-ranking#:~:text=%E2%80%9CThe%20composition%20of%20the%20Global,Kingdom%2C%20Germany%2C%20and%20China. Global Soft Power Index 2022: USA bounces back better to top of nation brand ranking], Brand Finance website, 2022</ref>:

 

==War propaganda==

==War propaganda==

[[File:Guardian reports on Nazi defeat.PNG|right|250px|thumb|''[[The Guardian]]'' report on the defeat of [[Nazi]]s in [[Azovstal]].<ref>https://www.theguardian.com/world/gallery/2022/may/17/evacuation-of-azovstal-plant-in-mariupol-in-pictures</ref>]]

[[File:Guardian reports on Nazi defeat.PNG|right|250px|thumb|''[[The Guardian]]'' report on the defeat of [[Nazi]]s in [[Azovstal]].<ref>https://www.theguardian.com/world/gallery/2022/may/17/evacuation-of-azovstal-plant-in-mariupol-in-pictures</ref>]]

War propaganda is used as a means of influencing both sides of the military conflict.  An example from the [[Russia-Ukraine war]] is the recruitment of foreign [[mercenaries]] by the government of [[Ukraine]].  Mercenaries do not enjoy the status and protection of [[prisoners of war]] under the [[Geneva Convention]], can be executed on the spot as paid killers for profit under international law, and most governments have laws in place prohibiting their citizens from engaging in mercenary activity. Three [[UK]] citizens were captured by the Russians, and two faced [[criminal]] charges and the [[death penalty]].  The third, Aiden Aslin, was somewhat of [[social media]] star with a large number of subscribers on [[Twitter]] and [[Instagram]] following his tales of adventure. In captivity, Aslin was allowed to create a [[YouTube]] channel to interact with the global public,<ref>https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFNB2gdTvzAXW9LQ1GS5wfg/videos</ref> and dissuade people from responding to Ukrainian and Western media solicitations to join Ukraine's mercenary force.

War propaganda is used as a means of influencing both sides of the military conflict.  An example from the [[Russia-Ukraine war]] is the recruitment of foreign [[mercenaries]] by the government of [[Ukraine]].  Mercenaries do not enjoy the status and protection of [[prisoners of war]] under the [[Geneva Convention]], can be executed on the spot as paid killers for profit under international law, and most governments have laws in place prohibiting their citizens from engaging in mercenary activity. Three [[UK]] citizens were captured by the Russians, and two faced [[criminal]] charges and the [[death penalty]].  The third, Aiden Aslin, was somewhat of [[social media]] star with a large number of subscribers on [[Twitter]] and [[Instagram]] following his tales of adventure. In captivity, Aslin was allowed to create a [[YouTube]] channel to interact with the global public,<ref>https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFNB2gdTvzAXW9LQ1GS5wfg/videos</ref> and dissuade people from responding to Ukrainian and Western media solicitations to join Ukraine's mercenary force.

'''Propaganda by instilling fear of defeat.''' Such propaganda can set up the army for the most decisive actions, since "there is nowhere to retreat." It can acquire a different character - instilling fear due to the consequences of the offensive. Such an approach can cause confusion in the army and society of the attacking side. Other ways of exposure.  

'''Propaganda by instilling fear of defeat.''' Such propaganda can set up the army for the most decisive actions, since "there is nowhere to retreat." It can acquire a different character - instilling fear due to the consequences of the offensive. Such an approach can cause confusion in the army and society of the attacking side. Other ways of exposure.  

[[File:Time fake news Denisova.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Ukraine Human Rights Ombudsman Lyudmila Denisova was actually fired in an unprecedented move for manufacturing fake news reports about alleged Russian [[rape]]s and bringing disrepute on the Ukrainian regime.<ref>{{Cite web |date=28 June 2022 |title='This will not help us defeat the enemy' A new report looks at Ukrainian Ombudsman Lyudmyla Denisova, who was fired after officials couldn't confirm her stories of rape committed by Russian soldiers |url=https://meduza.io/en/feature/2022/06/28/we-work-on-the-information-front |access-date= |website=Meduza |language=en}}</ref>]]

[[File:Time fake news Denisova.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Ukraine Human Rights Ombudsman Lyudmila Denisova was actually fired in an unprecedented move for manufacturing fake news reports about alleged Russian [[rape]]s and bringing disrepute on the Ukrainian regime.<ref>{{Cite web |date=28 June 2022 |title='This will not help us defeat the enemy' A new report looks at Ukrainian Ombudsman Lyudmyla Denisova, who was fired after officials couldn't confirm her stories of rape committed by Russian soldiers |url=https://meduza.io/en/feature/2022/06/28/we-work-on-the-information-front |access-date= |website=Meduza |language=en}}</ref>]]

From the earliest days of the conflict, the [[Kyiv regime]] focused on winning a global information and propaganda war rather than a military conflict.  Researchers at the University of Adelaide in Australia published a landmark paper on August 20, 2022 on the activities of bot accounts on [[Twitter]] related to the conflict. The Australian findings were staggering – of 5.2 million tweets on the [[social media]] network from February 23 to March 8, 2022 at the outbreak of the conflict, between 60 to 80% were shared by fake accounts.<ref>https://arxiv.org/pdf/2208.07038.pdf</ref>

From the earliest days of the conflict, the [[Kyiv regime]] focused on winning a global information and propaganda war rather than a military conflict.  Researchers at the University of Adelaide in Australia published a landmark paper on August 20, 2022 on the activities of bot accounts on [[Twitter]] related to the conflict. The Australian findings were staggering – of 5.2 million tweets on the [[social media]] network from February 23 to March 8, 2022 at the outbreak of the conflict, between 60 to 80% were shared by fake accounts.<ref>https://arxiv.org/pdf/2208.07038.pdf</ref>

{{clear}}

{{clear}}

== Psychological warfare and the U.S. Army ==

 

 

 

 

===Psychological warfare and the U.S. Army===

''See also:'' [[Psychological warfare]]

''See also:'' [[Psychological warfare]]

According to the U.S. Army:  

According to the U.S. Army:  

*[[2003 U.S. Army Field Manual: Psychological Operations Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures - Lines of persuasion]]

*[[2003 U.S. Army Field Manual: Psychological Operations Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures - Lines of persuasion]]

== See also ==

== See also ==

*[[Psychological warfare]]

*[[Psychological warfare]]

*[[Media intelligence complex]]

*[[Media intelligence complex]]

*[[Echo chamber (media)]]

*[[CCP propaganda war]]

*[[Michael Moore]]

*[[Ukrainian propaganda war]]

*[[Keith Olbermann]]

*[[Cold War I propaganda]]

*[[Bill Maher]]

*[[List of Communist publications]]

*[[List of Communist publications]]

*[[Logical fallacy]]

*[[Putin propaganda]]

*[[Cult of personality]]

*[[Nazi propaganda in the Russia-Ukraine war]]

*[[Operation Infektion]]

*[[List of military strategies and concepts]]

*[[List of military strategies and concepts]]

*[[Copium]]

*[[Copium]]

*[[DARVO]]

*[[DARVO]]

*[[Persuasion]]

*[[Persuasion]]

*[[Putin propaganda]]

*[[Echo chamber (media)]]

*[[Coprophagia]]

</div>

</div>

* [http://www.creationsafaris.com/crevbd.htm#propaganda Propaganda Tactics] at "The Baloney Detector" at Creation-Evolution Headlines

* [http://www.creationsafaris.com/crevbd.htm#propaganda Propaganda Tactics] at "The Baloney Detector" at Creation-Evolution Headlines

*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-MXIwKpRCiM&t=2329s A Westerner Living Under Putin's Regime].

*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-MXIwKpRCiM&t=2329s A Westerner Living Under Putin's Regime].

 

[[Category:Sociology]]

[[Category:Sociology]]

[[Category:Liberal Traits]][[Category:Russophobia]]

[[Category:Russophobia]]

[[Category:Deceit]]

[[Category:Deceit]]

[[Category:Military Strategies and Concepts]]

[[Category:Military Strategies and Concepts]]