Anup Shah - War, Propaganda and the Media

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by Anup Shah This Page Last Updated Thursday, March 31, 2005 This page: http:// !g"#ba"issues!#rg/artic"e/15$/ ar%pr#paganda%and%the%&edia! T# print a"" in'#r&ati#n e!g! e(panded side n#tes, sh# s a"ternati)e "in*s, use the print )ersi#n: http:// !g"#ba"issues!#rg/print/artic"e/15$ +e &ust re&e&ber that in ti&e #' ar hat is said #n the ene&y,s side #' the 'r#nt is a" ays pr#paganda, and hat is said #n #ur side #' the 'r#nt is truth and righte#usness, the cause #' hu&anity and a crusade '#r peace! - Walter Lippmann Pr#bab"y e)ery c#n'"ict is '#ught #n at "east t # gr#unds: the batt"e'ie"d and the &inds #' the pe#p"e )ia pr#paganda! The .g##d guys/ and the .bad guys/ can #'ten b#th be gui"ty #' &is"eading their pe#p"e ith dist#rti#ns, e(aggerati#ns, sub0ecti)ity, inaccuracy and e)en 'abricati#ns, in #rder t# recei)e supp#rt and a sense #' "egiti&acy! This eb page has the '#""# ing sub%secti#ns: 1! 1"e&ents #' Pr#paganda 2! Pr#paganda and +ar 1! Pr#paganda hen Preparing #r 2usti'ying +ar 2! Mi"itary 3#ntr#" #' 4n'#r&ati#n 1! 4n'#r&ati#n 5perati#ns 2! 1&bedded 2#urna"ists: An Ad)antage '#r the Mi"itary 3! 6i"e&&a #' 2#urna"ists and +arti&e 3#)erage 3! +ider Pr#paganda 7! Pr#paganda in 6e&#cracies 5! +hy 6#es S# Much Pr#paganda +#r*8 1! +anting t# be"ie)e the best #' #urse")es 2! 9ear%&#ngering and dist#rting 'acts 3! Media &anage&ent and pub"ic re"ati#ns is )ery pr#'essi#na" 7! 6isse&inating prepac*aged, e)en 'a*e ne s 5! S&ear tactics are increasing in s#phisticati#n :! ;arr# ing the <ange #' 6ebate :! S#&e 6etai"ed 1(a&p"es

Elements of Propaganda
Pr#paganda can ser)e t# ra""y pe#p"e behind a cause, but #'ten at the c#st #' e(aggerating, &isrepresenting, #r e)en "ying ab#ut the issues in #rder t# gain that supp#rt! +hi"e the issue #' pr#paganda #'ten is discussed in the c#nte(t #' &i"itaris&, ar and ar%&#ngering,

it is ar#und us in a"" aspects #' "i'e! As the )ari#us e(a&p"es be"# inc"ude: i"" sh# , c#&&#n tactics in pr#paganda #'ten used by either side

Using selective stories that c#&e #)er as ide%c#)ering and #b0ecti)e! Partial facts, #r hist#rica" c#nte(t Reinforcing reasons and motivations t# act due t# threats #n the security #' the indi)idua"! Narrow sources of e perts! t# pr#)ide insights in t# the situati#n! =9#r e(a&p"e, the &ainstrea& &edia typica""y inter)ie retired &i"itary pers#nne" '#r &any c#n'"ict%re"ated issues, #r treat #''icia" g#)ern&ent s#urces as 'act, rather than 0ust #ne perspecti)e that needs t# be )eri'ied and researched>! "emoni#ing the enem$! h# d#es n#t 'it the picture #' hat is .right/! Using a narrow range of discourse, hereby 0udg&ents are #'ten &ade hi"e the b#undary #' disc#urse itse"', #r the 'ra&e #r* ithin hich the #pini#ns are '#r&ed, are #'ten n#t discussed! The narr# '#cus then he"ps t# ser)e the interests #' the pr#pagandists! S#&e #' the '#""# ing secti#ns "##* int# h# pr#paganda is used in )ari#us ays, e(panding #n the ab#)e "ist #' tactics and de)ices! ?ac* t# t#p

Propaganda and War

At ti&es #' ar, #r bui"d up '#r ar, &essages #' e(tre&ities and hate, c#&bined ith e&#ti#ns #' h#n#r and righte#usness interp"ay t# pr#)ide p# er'u" pr#paganda '#r a cause! The 'irst casua"ty hen ar c#&es is Truth - U.S. Senator Hiram Johnson, 1917 Many say that it is ine)itab"e in ar that pe#p"e i"" die! @et, in &any cases, ar itse"' is n#t ine)itab"e, and pr#paganda is #'ten e&p"#yed t# g# c"#ser t# ar, i' that is the pre'erred '#reign p#"icy #pti#n! 4ndeed, #nce ar starts, ci)i"ian casua"ties are un'#rtunate"y a"&#st a guaranteed certainty! 4n arti&e, truth is s# preci#us that she sh#u"d a" ays be attended by a b#dyguard #' "ies! - Winston Churchill, British Prime Minister durin World War !! Th#se h# pr#&#te the negati)e i&age #' the .ene&y/ &ay #'ten rein'#rce it ith rhet#ric ab#ut the righte#usness #' the&se")esA the atte&pt is t# &uster up supp#rt and nurture the be"ie' that hat is t# be d#ne is in the p#siti)e and bene'icia" interest #' e)ery#ne! 5'ten, the princip"es used t# de&#niBe the #ther, is n#t used t# 0udge the se"', "eading t# accusati#ns #' d#ub"e standards and hyp#crisy! ;e(t the states&en i"" in)ent cheap "ies, putting the b"a&e up#n the nati#n that is attac*ed, and e)ery &an i"" be g"ad #' th#se c#nscience%s##thing 'a"sities, and i"" di"igent"y study the&, and re'use t# e(a&ine any re'utati#ns #' the&A and thus he i"" by and by c#n)ince hi&se"' that the ar is 0ust, and i"" than* C#d '#r the better s"eep he en0#ys a'ter this pr#cess #' gr#tesDue se"'%decepti#n! - Mar" #$ain, #he M%sterious Stran er, 191&, Ch.9 The "ist #' tactics used in pr#paganda "isted 'urther ab#)e is a"s# e(pressed in a si&i"ar ay by 2#hann Ca"tung, a pr#'ess#r #' Peace Studies and su&&ariBed here by 6anny Schechter:

EPr#'ess#rF Ca"tung "aid #ut 12 p#ints #' c#ncern here 0#urna"is& #'ten g#es r#ng hen dea"ing ith )i#"ence! 1ach i&p"icit"y suggests &#re e(p"icit re&edies! 1! "econte tuali#ing violence: '#cusing #n the irrati#na" ith#ut "##*ing at the reas#ns '#r unres#")ed c#n'"icts and p#"ariBati#n! 2! "ualism: reducing the nu&ber #' parties in a c#n'"ict t# t #, hen #'ten &#re are in)#")ed! St#ries that 0ust '#cus #n interna" de)e"#p&ents #'ten ign#re such #utside #r .e(terna"/ '#rces as '#reign g#)ern&ents and transnati#na" c#&panies! 3! Manicheanism: p#rtraying #ne side as g##d and de&#niBing the #ther as .e)i"!/ 7! Armageddon: presenting )i#"ence as ine)itab"e, #&itting a"ternati)es! 5! %ocusing on individual acts of violence while avoiding structural causes, "i*e p#)erty, g#)ern&ent neg"ect and &i"itary #r p#"ice repressi#n! :! &onfusion: '#cusing #n"y #n the c#n'"ict arena =i!e!, the batt"e'ie"d #r "#cati#n #' )i#"ent incidents> but n#t #n the '#rces and 'act#rs that in'"uence the )i#"ence! $! E cluding and omitting the 'ereaved, thus ne)er e(p"aining hy there are acts #' re)enge and spira"s #' )i#"ence! G! %ailure to e plore the causes of escalation and the impact of media coverage itself! H! %ailure to e plore the goals of outside interventionists, especiall$ 'ig powers! 10!%ailure to e plore peace proposals and offer images of peaceful outcomes! 11!&onfusing cease-fires and negotiations with actual peace! 12!(mitting reconciliation: c#n'"icts tend t# ree&erge i' attenti#n is n#t paid t# e''#rts t# hea" 'ractured s#cieties! +hen ne s ab#ut atte&pts t# res#")e c#n'"icts are absent, 'ata"is& is rein'#rced! That can he"p engender e)en &#re )i#"ence, hen pe#p"e ha)e n# i&ages #r in'#r&ati#n ab#ut p#ssib"e peace'u" #utc#&es and the pr#&ise #' hea"ing! - 'ann% Schechter, Co(erin )iolence* Ho$ Should Media Handle Con+lict,, Jul% 1-, .//1 01mphasis 2dded3 Arthur Siege", a s#cia" science pr#'ess#r at @#r* Uni)ersity in T#r#nt#, describes '#ur "e)e"s #' )arieties #' pr#paganda: ;# &atter h# it is spread, pr#paganda c#&es in '#ur basic )arieties, said Arthur Siege", s#cia" science pr#'ess#r at @#r* Uni)ersity in T#r#nt#, h#se 1HH: b##* <adi# 3anada 4nternati#na" e(a&ines +#r"d +ar 44 and 3#"d +ar pr#paganda! .The 'irst "e)e" is the ?ig Lie, adapted by Iit"er and Sta"in! The state%c#ntr#""ed 1gyptian press has been spreading a ?ig Lie, saying the +#r"d Trade 3enter as attac*ed by 4srae" t# e&barrass Arabs,/ said Siege"! .The sec#nd "ayer says, J4t d#esn,t ha)e t# be the truth, s# "#ng as it,s p"ausib"e!, .The third strategy is t# te"" the truth but ithh#"d the #ther side,s p#int #' )ie ! .The '#urth and &#st pr#ducti)e is t# te"" the truth, the g##d and the bad, the "#sses and the gains! .C#)ern&ents in +estern s#ciety ta*e the "ast three steps! They a)#id the ?ig Lie, hich n#b#dy here i"" s a""# ,/ Siege" said!

- Beth 4illin, U.S. intensi+ies the $ar o+ $ords, #he Philadelphia !ne5uirer, 6cto7er .1, .//1 +ith the "ast p#int ab#)e, Siege" is p#inting #ut that as e"" as .ene&ies/ ha)ing pr#paganda &echanis&s, e a"s# ha)e #ur # n pr#paganda &echanis&s!

Propaganda when Preparing or )ustif$ing War

4n preparing '#r #r 0usti'ying ar, additi#na" techniDues are #'ten e&p"#yed, *n# ing"y #r un*n# ing"y: 5tt#sen identi'ies se)era" *ey stages #' a &i"itary ca&paign t# .s#'ten up/ pub"ic #pini#n thr#ugh the &edia in preparati#n '#r an ar&ed inter)enti#n! These are: *he Preliminar$ Stage-during hich the c#untry c#ncerned c#&es t# the ne s, p#rtrayed as a cause '#r .&#unting c#ncern/ because #' p#)erty/dictat#rship/anarchyA *he )ustification Stage-during hich big ne s is pr#duced t# "end urgency t# the case '#r ar&ed inter)enti#n t# bring ab#ut a rapid restituti#n #' .n#r&a"ity/A *he +mplementation Stage- hen p##"ing and cens#rship pr#)ide c#ntr#" #' c#)erageA *he Aftermath-during hich n#r&a"ity is p#rtrayed as returning t# the regi#n, be'#re it #nce again dr#ps d# n the ne s agenda! 5,Kane n#tes .there is a" ays a dead baby st#ry/ and it c#&es at the *ey p#int #' the 2usti'icati#n Stage-in the '#r& #' a st#ry h#se apparent urgency br##*s n# de"ayspeci'ica""y, n# ti&e '#r c##" de"iberati#n #r neg#tiating #n peace pr#p#sa"s! Iu&an interest st#ries L are idea" '#r engendering this at&#sphere! - #he Peace Journalist 6ption, Poiesis.or , 2u ust 1997 =5,Kane,s re'erence t# the dead baby st#ry is ab#ut the 1HH1 Cu"' +ar here a U!S! pub"ic re"ati#ns 'ir& g#t a Ku aiti A&bassad#r,s daughter t# p#se as a nurse c"ai&ing she sa 4raDi tr##ps *i""ing babies in h#spita"s! The purp#se #' this as t# create ar#usa" and de&#niBe 4raD s# ar as &#re acceptab"e! M#re in'#r&ati#n ab#ut this is #n this site,s 4raD secti#n!> A ard% inning in)estigati)e 0#urna"ist, Phi""ip Knight"ey, in an artic"e '#r the ?ritish paper, #he 4uardian a"s# p#ints #ut '#ur stages in preparing a nati#n '#r ar: 1! The crisis The rep#rting #' a crisis hich neg#tiati#ns appear unab"e t# res#")e! P#"iticians, hi"e ca""ing '#r dip"#&acy, arn #' &i"itary reta"iati#n! The &edia rep#rts this as .+e,re #n the brin* #' ar/, #r .+ar is ine)itab"e/, etc! 2! The de&#nisati#n #' the ene&y,s "eader 3#&paring the "eader ith Iit"er is a g##d start because #' the instant i&ages that Iit"er,s na&e pr#)#*es! 3! The de&#nisati#n #' the ene&y as indi)idua"s 9#r e(a&p"e, t# suggest the ene&y is insane! 7! Atr#cities 1)en &a*ing up st#ries t# hip up and strengthen e&#ti#na" reacti#ns!

Knight"ey a"s# p#ints t# the di"e&&a that hi"e s#&e st#ries are *n# n t# ha)e been 'abricati#ns and #utright "ies, #thers &ay be true! The tr#ub"e is, he as*s, .h# can e te""8/ Iis ans er is un'#rtunate"y n#t t## reassuring: .The &edia de&ands that e trust it but t## #'ten that trust has been betrayed!/ The di''icu"ty that h#nest 0#urna"ists 'ace is a"s# hinted t# in an#ther artic"e by Knight"ey: 5ne di''icu"ty is that the &edia ha)e "itt"e #r n# &e&#ry! +ar c#rresp#ndents ha)e sh#rt #r*ing "i)es and there is n# traditi#n #r &eans '#r passing #n their *n# "edge and e(perience! The &i"itary, #n the #ther hand, is an instituti#n and g#es #n '#re)er! The &i"itary "earned a "#t 'r#& Mietna& and these days p"ans its &edia strategy ith as &uch attenti#n as its &i"itary strategy! - Phillip 8ni htle%, 9i htin dirt%, #he 4uardian, March ./, ./// Miren CuiterreB, edit#r%in%chie' #' !nter Press Ser(ice n#tes a nu&ber #' e"e&ents #' pr#paganda ta*ing the &#re recent ars int# acc#unt, the .+ar #n terr#r/ and the 4raD crisis! Su&&ing up his sh#rt but detai"ed rep#rt, he inc"udes the '#""# ing as pr#paganda strategies: 4nc#&p"eteness 4naccuracy 6ri)ing the agenda Mi"*ing the st#ry =&a(i&iBing &edia c#)erage #' a particu"ar issue by the care'u" use #' brie'ings, "ea*ing pieces #' a 0igsa t# di''erent #ut"ets, a""# ing 0#urna"ists t# piece the st#ry t#gether and dri)e the st#ry up the ne s agenda, etc!> 1(p"#iting that e ant t# be"ie)e the best #' #urse")es Percepti#n Manage&ent =in particu"ar by using P< 'ir&s> <ein'#rcing e(isting attitudes Si&p"e, repetiti#us and e&#ti#na" phrases =e!g! ar #n terr#r, a(is #' e)i", eap#ns #' &ass destructi#n, sh#c* and a e, ar #' "iberati#n, etc>

Militar$ &ontrol of +nformation

Mi"itary c#ntr#" #' in'#r&ati#n during ar ti&e is a"s# a &a0#r c#ntributing 'act#r t# pr#paganda, especia""y hen the &edia g# a"#ng ith it ith#ut Duesti#n! The &i"itary rec#gniBes the )a"ues #' &edia and in'#r&ati#n c#ntr#" )ery e""! +nformation (perations The &i"itary #'ten &anipu"ates the &ainstrea& &edia, by restricting #r &anaging hat in'#r&ati#n is presented and hence hat the pub"ic are t#"d! 9#r the& it is para&#unt t# c#ntr#" the &edia! This can in)#")e a"" &anner #' acti)ities, 'r#& #rganiBing &edia sessi#ns and dai"y press brie'ings, #r thr#ugh pr#)iding &anaged access t# ar B#nes, t# e)en p"anting st#ries! This has happened thr#ugh#ut the 20th century! 5)er ti&e then, the ay that the &edia c#)ers c#n'"icts degrades in Dua"ity, critiDue and #b0ecti)eness! .4n'#r&ati#n is the currency #' )ict#ry/ an August 1HH: U!S! Ar&y 'ie"d &anua"! 9r#& a &i"itary,s perspecti)e, in'#r&ati#n ar'are is an#ther 'r#nt #n hich a batt"e &ust be '#ught! I# e)er, as e"" as needing t# decei)e ad)ersaries, in #rder t# &aintain pub"ic supp#rt, in'#r&ati#n t# their # n pub"ic &ust n# d#ubt be &anaged as e""! That &a*es sense 'r#& a &i"itary perspecti)e! S#&eti&es the pub"ic can be i""ing t# sacri'ice detai"ed *n# "edge! ?ut that can a"s# "ead t# unacc#untabi"ity and hen in'#r&ati#n that is presented has been &anaged such, pr#paganda is #'ten the resu"t! ?ee"&an a"s# describes h# this 4n'#r&ati#n 5perati#ns is used t# &anage in'#r&ati#n:

9#r rep#rters c#)ering this ar E#n terr#ris&F, the cha""enge is n#t 0ust in getting un'ettered and uncens#red access t# U!S! tr##ps and the batt"e'ie"d-a "#ng and &#st"y "#sing strugg"e in the past-but in discerning bet een in'#r&ati#n and disin'#r&ati#n! That is &ade a"" the &#re di''icu"t by a 27%h#ur ne s cyc"e, ad)anced techn#"#gy, and the &i"itary,s gr# ing '#ndness '#r a discip"ine it ca""s .4n'#r&ati#n 5perati#ns!/ 45, as it is *n# n, gr#ups t#gether in'#r&ati#n 'uncti#ns ranging 'r#& pub"ic a''airs =PA, the &i"itary sp#*espers#ns c#rps> t# &i"itary decepti#n and psych#"#gica" #perati#ns, #r PS@5P! +hat this &eans is that pe#p"e h#se 0#b traditi#na""y has been t# ta"* t# the &edia and di)u"ge truth'u""y hat they are ab"e t# te"" n# #r* hand%in%g"#)e ith th#se h#se 0#b it is t# supp#rt batt"e'ie"d #perati#ns ith in'#r&ati#n, n#t a"" #' hich &ay be truth'u"! - Maud S. Beelman, #he 'an ers o+ 'isin+ormation in the War on #errorism, Co(era e o+ #errorism Women and Journalism* !nternational Perspecti(es, +rom :ieman ;eports Ma a<ine, Winter .//1, )ol. ==, :o.>, p.1&. 0+rom #he :ieman 9oundation +or Journalism at Har(ard Uni(ersit%3 6anny Schechter, a"s# re'erring t# the artic"e ab#)e by ?ee"&an, describes 4n'#r&ati#n 5perati#ns &#re b"unt"y as being .a ay #' #bscuring and sanitiBing that negati)e%s#unding ter& Jpr#paganda, s# that #ur Jin'#r&ati#n arri#rs, can d# their thing ith a &ini&u& #' pub"ic attenti#n as they see* t# engineer 'riend"y rite ups and cu&u"ati)e i&pact!/ This, he p#ints #ut, can be acc#&p"ished )ia se)era" strategies:
(verloading the Media, +deological Appeals, Spinning +nformation, Withholding +nformation, &o-(ption And &ollusion,

Em'edded )ournalists- An Advantage for the Militar$ 6uring the sh#rt in)asi#n #' 4raD in 2003, 0#urna"ists ere .e&bedded/ ith )ari#us 3#a"iti#n '#rces! This as an idea b#rn 'r#& the pub"ic re"ati#ns industry, and pr#)ided &edia #ut"ets a detai"ed and 'ascinating )ie '#r their audiences! 9#r the &i"itary, h# e)er, it pr#)ided a &eans t# c#ntr#" hat "arge audiences #u"d see, t# s#&e e(tent! 4ndependent 0#urna"ists #u"d be "##*ed up#n &#re suspici#us"y! 4n a ay, e&bedded 0#urna"ists ere un itting"y =s#&eti&es *n# ing"y> &a*ing a decisi#n t# be biased in their rep#rting, in 'a)#r #' the 3#a"iti#n tr##ps! 4' an e&bedded 0#urna"ist as t# rep#rt un'a)#rab"y #n c#a"iti#n '#rces they ere acc#&panying they #u"d n#t get any c##perati#n! S#, in a sense a""# ing 0#urna"ists t# get c"#ser &eant the &i"itary had &#re chance t# try and &anage the &essage! 4n U!K!, the Iist#ry 3hanne" br#adcasted a d#cu&entary #n August 21, 2007, tit"ed War Spin* Correspondent! This d#cu&entary "##*ed at 3#a"iti#n &edia &anage&ent '#r the 4raD ar and n#ted nu&er#us things inc"uding the '#""# ing: 1&bedded 0#urna"ists a""# ed the &i"itary t# &a(i&iBe i&agery hi"e pr#)iding &ini&a"

insight int# the rea" issuesA 3entra" 3#&&and = here a"" th#se &i"itary press brie'ings ere he"d> as the &ain center 'r#& hich t#: 9i"ter, &anage and drip%'eed 0#urna"ists ith hat they anted t# pr#)ideA C"#ss #)er set%bac*s, hi"e d e""ing #n successesA Li&it the 'acts and c#nte(tA 1)en 'eed "ies t# 0#urna"istsA Use spin in )ari#us ays, such as &a*ing it see&s as th#ugh rep#rts are c#&ing 'r#& tr##ps #n the gr#und, hich 3entra" 3#&&and can then c#n'ir&, s# as t# appear rea"A 3are'u""y p"an the range #' t#pics that c#u"d be discussed ith rep#rters, and hat t# a)#id! 4n su&&ary then, the d#cu&entary c#nc"uded and i&p"ied that the &edia had success'u""y been designated a &#st"y c#ntr#""ab"e r#"e by the &i"itary, hich #u"d n# d#ubt i&pr#)e in the 'uture! 9#r &#re ab#ut the issues #' e&bedded 0#urna"is& during the 4raD in)asi#n, )ari#us pr#paganda techniDues e&p"#yed, and &#re, see this eb site,s 4raD &edia secti#n!

"ilemma of )ournalists and Wartime &overage

+ith &i"itary c#n'"icts then, rep#rting raises an interesting di"e&&a '#r s#&eA #ne the #ne hand, the &i"itary ish t# present )ari#us aspects that #u"d supp#rt a ca&paign, hi"e #n the #ther hand, a 0#urna"ist is supp#sed t# be critica" and n#t necessari"y 'a"" in "ine! The is captured e"" by 2ane Kirt"ey, a pr#'ess#r #' Media 1thics and La : Sh#rt"y a'ter the end #' the A&erican 3i)i" +ar, 0#urna"ist 9! 3#"burn Ada&s r#te, .The 'uture hist#rian #' the "ate ar i"" ha)e EaF )ery di''icu"t tas* t# per'#r& L si'ting the truth 'r#& 'a"seh##d as it appears in #''icia" rec#rds!/ Si&i"ar t# the #'t%repeated a(i#& that truth is the 'irst casua"ty #' ar, Ada&s, #bser)ati#n succinct"y su&&ariBes the nub #' the c#n'"ict bet een the &i"itary and the ne s &edia! The &i"itary,s &issi#n is t# 'ight, and t# in, hate)er c#n'"ict &ay present itse"'% pre'erab"y #n the batt"e'ie"d but certain"y in pub"ic #pini#n and the hist#ry b##*s! The 0#urna"ist, #n the #ther hand, is a s*eptic i' n#t a cynic and ai&s t# see*, 'ind and rep#rt the truth - a &issi#n b#th parties #'ten )ie as inc#&patib"e ith success'u" ar'are, hich depends #n secrecy and decepti#n as &uch as superi#r strategy, tactics, eap#nry and &anp# er! - Jane 8irtle%, 1nou h is 1nou h, Media Studies Journal, 6cto7er 1=, .//1 5'ten, especia""y hen c#)ering c#n'"icts, the &edia #rganiBati#ns are sub0ect t# )ari#us c#nstraints by g#)ern&ents, &i"itary, c#rp#rate pressure, ec#n#&ic interests, etc! S#&eti&es, h# e)er, the &edia are &#re than i""ing t# g# a"#ng ith hat c#u"d be described as se"'%cens#rship, as high"ighted )i)id"y in the '#""# ing: +e "i)e in a dirty and danger#us #r"d! There are s#&e things the genera" pub"ic d#es n#t need t# *n# ab#ut and sh#u"dn,t! 4 be"ie)e de&#cracy '"#urishes hen the g#)ern&ent can ta*e "egiti&ate steps t# *eep its secrets and hen the press can decide hether t# print hat it *n# s! - 8atharine 4raham, Washin ton Post o$ner spea"in at C!2?s Lan le%, )ir inia head5uarters in

19--, ;eported in ;e ardie?s Ma a<ine, Januar%, 199/, @uoted +rom 'a(id Mc4o$an, 'erailin 'emocrac%, 0Common Coura e Press, .///3, p.1/9. 5ther ti&es, the s#urces #' in'#r&ati#n are "i&ited! 9#r e(a&p"e, .4n'#r&ati#n ar'are/ #' a &i"itary #r g#)ern&ent &ight be targeted at .ene&y/ nati#ns and gr#ups, but #'ten a''ects their # n p#pu"ati#ns: 4n E&any casesF, the U!S! and #ther estern ne s &edia depend #n the &i"itary '#r in'#r&ati#nL! And hen the in'#r&ati#n that &i"itary #''icers pr#)ide t# the pub"ic is part #' a pr#cess that generates pr#paganda and p"aces a high )a"ue #n deceit, decepti#n and denia", then truth is indeed "i*e"y t# be high #n the casua"ty "ist! - William M. 2r"in, Media principles* 8illed 7% +riendl% +ire in US in+o$ar, !ndeA on Censorship, 1B :o(em7er .//. 2#urna"ist Iar#"d 1)ans addresses the issue #' ar c#rresp#ndents duties, as being the cha""enge #' patri#tis& )ersus pr#'essi#na"is&: The hist#ry #' ar'are suggests this is n#t a 'a"se antithesis! C#)ern&ents, understandab"y, put a pri#rity #n nurturing the &#ra"e #' the ar&ed '#rces and the pe#p"e, inti&idating an ene&y ith the '#rce #' the nati#na" i"" They ha)e 'e scrup"es ab#ut hether they are being 'air and 0ust as their pr#paganda de&#niBes an a"ien "eader #r e)en a h#"e p#pu"ati#n! The ene&y is d#ing the sa&e t# the&! That is the e&#ti#n ars generate, in)iting a c#&petiti)e ecstasy #' hate! There is a due" in )ici#us stere#types in pr#paganda p#sters, i""ustrati#ns and head"inesA p#pu"ati#ns #u"d be ast#unded i' they c#u"d see h# they and their "eaders are p#rtrayed by the #ther side! Auth#rity resents it hen a ne spaper #r br#adcast shades the b"ac* and hite! L Atr#city st#ries ha)e been debased currency in the ar #' #rds! The #ther side,s are pr#paganda and sh#u"d be ign#red #r discredited by patri#tic c#rresp#ndentsA #urs are an integra" part #' the cause, and sh#u"d be pr#pagated ith c#n)icti#n, uniting pe#p"e in )enge'u"ness '#r a cause higher than pedantry! 5n"y a'ter the c#n'"ict, the Bea"#ts, argu&ent runs, is there ti&e en#ugh t# si't the ashes '#r truth! Iist#ry *n# s n# that the Cer&ans did n#t, as charged in +#r"d +ar 4, t#ss ?e"gian babies in the air and catch the& #n bay#nets, n#r b#i" d# n Cer&an c#rpses '#r g"ycerin '#r &uniti#ns-a st#ry in)ented by a ?ritish c#rresp#ndent being pressed by his #''ice '#r ne s #' atr#cities! The 9rench did n#t, as the Cer&an press rep#rted, r#utine"y g#uge #ut the eyes #' captured Cer&an s#"diers, #r ch#p #'' their 'ingers '#r the rings #n the&! 4raDi s#"diers in)ading Ku ait did n#t t#ss pre&ature babies #ut #' incubat#rs, as #he Sunda% #ele raph in L#nd#n, and then the Los 2n eles #imes, rep#rted, Du#ting <euters! The st#ry as an in)enti#n #' the 3itiBens '#r a 9ree Ku ait "#bby in +ashingt#n and the teen%age . itness/ h# testi'ied t# 3#ngress as c#ached by the "#bby,s pub"ic re"ati#ns c#&pany! 4t as #n"y t # years "ater that the h#"e thing as e(p#sed '#r the 'raud it as! ?ut the &yth ga")aniBed pub"ic #pini#n at a critica" &#&ent #n the need t# g# t# ar, as it as intended t#! L Iist#ry is a &aus#"eu& #' errant e&#ti#ns: +h# is the &#re patri#tic-the g#)ern&ent that c#ncea"s the b"unders its s#"diers endure, the crue"ties they &ay in'"ict, #r the c#rresp#ndent h# e(p#ses the& s# that they &ight be recti'ied8 L E4n the di"e&&as 0#urna"ists #'ten ha)e bet een rep#rting and inter)eningF, A"an 6# er, h# rep#rted the K#rean +ar '#r the Mel7ourne Herald L rep#rter <ene 3ut'#rth and ca&era&an 3yri" Page sa a c#"u&n #' #&en in Se#u" being &arched #'' t# 0ai"A &any

ere carrying babies! The 0#urna"ists ere t#"d the 'a&i"ies ere a"" t# be sh#t because s#&e#ne in the street had identi'ied the& as c#&&unists! 6# er, h# as a c#&&and# be'#re he as a rep#rter, as carrying a carbine! Ie used it t# bu""y his ay int# the 0ai", here the tri# #' 0#urna"ists '#und that the #&en had been &ade t# *nee" ith their babies in 'r#nt #' an #pen pit, t # &achine guns at their bac*s! 6# er threatened t# sh##t the guard un"ess he t##* the tri# t# the pris#n g#)ern#r,s #''ice! There 6# er ai&ed his carbine at the g#)ern#r and threatened: .4' th#se &achine guns 'ire, 4,"" sh##t y#u bet een the eyes!/ 6# er, &a*ing an#ther threat, that #' pub"icity, secured a pr#&ise 'r#& the United ;ati#ns c#&&and in Se#u" that it #u"d sta&p #ut such practices! 6id 6# er brea* the n#r&a" "i&its #' 0#urna"is&8 @es, and he as right t# d# s#! 5ne,s 'irst duty is t# hu&anity, and there are e(cepti#na" #ccasi#ns hen that duty #)errides the can#ns #' any pr#'essi#n! - Harold 1(ans, Propa anda (s. Pro+essionalism, War Stories, :e$seum 0undated3 Phi""ip Knight"ey, in his a ard% inning b##* #he 9irst Casualt% traces a hist#ry #' &edia rep#rting #' ars and c#n'"icts and t# ards the end says: The sad truth is that in the ne &i""enniu&, g#)ern&ent pr#paganda prepares its citiBens '#r ar s# s*i""'u""y that it is Duite "i*e"y that they d# n#t ant the truth'u", #b0ecti)e and ba"anced rep#rting that g##d ar c#rresp#ndents #nce did their best t# pr#)ide! - Phillip 8ni htle%, #he 9irst Casualt%, 0Prion Boo"s, 197=, ./// re(ised edition3 p.=.= ?ac* t# t#p

Wider Propaganda
a princip"e 'a&i"iar t# pr#pagandists is that the d#ctrine t# be insti""ed in the target audience sh#u"d n#t be articu"ated: that #u"d #n"y e(p#se the& t# re'"ecti#n, inDuiry, and, )ery "i*e"y, ridicu"e! The pr#per pr#cedure is t# dri"" the& h#&e by c#nstant"y presupp#sing the&, s# that they bec#&e the )ery c#nditi#n '#r disc#urse! - :oam Choms"% 4t is easier t# d#&inate s#&e#ne i' they are una are #' being d#&inated! 3#"#nised and c#"#nisers b#th *n# that d#&inati#n is n#t 0ust based #n physica" supre&acy! 3#ntr#" #' hearts and &inds '#""# s &i"itary c#nDuest! +hich is hy any e&pire that ants t# "ast &ust capture the s#u"s #' its sub0ects! - ! nacio ;amonet, #he control o+ pleasure, Le Monde diplomati5ue, Ma% ./// ?ut the issue #' pr#paganda can g# bey#nd 0ust ar, t# &any #ther areas #' "i'e such as the p#"itica", c#&&ercia" and s#cia" aspects: +hen there is "itt"e #r n# e"ite dissent 'r#& a g#)ern&ent p#"icy, there &ay sti"" be s#&e s"ippage in the &ass &edia, and the 'acts can tend t# under&ine the g#)ern&ent "ine! L +e ha)e "#ng argued that the .natura"ness/ #' EtheF pr#cesses E#' indirect"y pressing the &edia t# *eep e)en &#re tenaci#us"y t# the pr#paganda assu&pti#ns #' state p#"icyF, ith inc#n)enient 'acts a""# ed sparing"y and ithin the pr#per 'ra&e #r* #' assu&pti#ns, and 'unda&enta" dissent )irtua""y e(c"uded 'r#& the &ass &edia =but per&itted in a

&argina"iBed press>, &a*es '#r a pr#paganda syste& that is 'ar &#re credib"e and e''ecti)e in putting #)er a patri#tic agenda than #ne ith #''icia" cens#rship! L 4t is &uch &#re di''icu"t t# see a pr#paganda syste& at #r* here the &edia are pri)ate and '#r&a" cens#rship is absent! This is especia""y true here the &edia acti)e"y c#&pete, peri#dica""y attach and e(p#se c#rp#rate and g#)ern&ent &a"'easance, and aggressi)e"y p#rtray the&se")es as sp#*es&en '#r 'ree speech and the genera" c#&&unity interest! +hat is n#t e)ident =and re&ains undiscussed in the &edia> is the limited nature #' such critiDues, as e"" as the huge ineDua"ity #' the c#&&and #' res#urces, and its e''ect b#th #n access t# a pri)ate &edia syste& and #n its beha)i#r and per'#r&ance! =1&phasis Added> - 1d$ard S. Herman and :oam Choms"%, Manu+acturin ConsentC #he Political 1conom% o+ the Mass Media, 0Pantheon Boo"s, :e$ Dor", 19--3, pp. Ai(, 1E.. The use #' #rds is integra" t# pr#paganda techniDues! 6r! Aar#n 6e" iche, at the Sch##" #' 3#&&unicati#ns at the Uni)ersity #' +ashingt#n, pr#)ides a eb site discussing pr#paganda! 6e" iche rec#unts h# in 1H3$, in the United States, the 4nstitute '#r Pr#paganda Ana"ysis as created t# educate the A&erican pub"ic ab#ut the idespread nature #' p#"itica" pr#paganda! Made up #' 0#urna"ists and s#cia" scientists, the institute pub"ished nu&er#us #r*s! 5ne #' the &ain the&es behind their #r* as de'ining se)en basic pr#paganda de)ices! +hi"e there as appr#priate criticis& #' the si&p"i'icati#n in such c"assi'icati#ns, these are c#&&#n"y described in &any uni)ersity "ectures #n pr#paganda ana"ysis, as 6e" iche a"s# p#ints #ut! 6e" ische 'urther c"assi'ies these =and adds a c#up"e #' additi#na" c"assi'icati#ns> int# the '#""# ing: +#rd Ca&es ;a&e%ca""ing Labe"ing pe#p"e, gr#ups, instituti#ns, etc in a negati)e &anner C"ittering genera"ity Labe"ing pe#p"e, gr#ups, instituti#ns, etc in a p#siti)e &anner 1uphe&is&s +#rds that paci'y the audience ith b"ander &eanings and c#nn#tati#ns 9a"se 3#nnecti#ns Trans'er Using sy&b#"s and i&agery #' p#siti)e instituti#ns etc t# strengthen acceptance Testi&#nia" 3iting indi)idua"s n#t Dua"i'ied t# &a*e the c"ai&s &ade Specia" Appea" P"ain 9#"*s Leaders appea"ing t# #rdinary citiBens by d#ing .#rdinary/ things ?and +ag#n The .e)ery#ne e"se is d#ing it/ argu&ent 9ear Ieightening, e(p"#iting #r ar#using pe#p"e,s 'ears t# get supp#rti)e #pini#ns and acti#ns =See the pre)i#us "in* '#r descripti#ns #' these de)ices!> A )i)id e(a&p"e #' such use #' #rds is a"s# seen in the '#""# ing Du#te: Since ar is particu"ar"y unp"easant, &i"itary disc#urse is 'u"" #' euphe&is&s! 4n the 1H70,s,

A&erica changed the na&e #' the +ar 6epart&ent t# the 6epart&ent #' 6e'ense! Under the <eagan Ad&inistrati#n, the MN%Missi"e as rena&ed .The Peace*eeper!/ 6uring ar% ti&e, ci)i"ian casua"ties are re'erred t# as .c#""atera" da&age,/ and the #rd ."iDuidati#n/ is used as a syn#ny& '#r .&urder!/ - 'r. 2aron 'el$iche, Propa anda 2nal%sis, Propa anda Critic We7 site, School o+ Communications, Washin ton Uni(ersit%, March 1., 199= P#"itica" Scientist and auth#r, Michae" Parenti, in an artic"e #n &edia &#n#p#"y, a"s# describes a pattern #' rep#rting in the &ainstrea& in the U!S! that "eads t# partia" in'#r&ati#n! Ie p#ints #ut that hi"e the &ainstrea& c"ai& t# be 'ree, #pen and #b0ecti)e, the )ari#us techniDues, intenti#na" #r unintenti#na" resu"t in s%stematic c#ntradicti#ns t# th#se c"ai&s! Such techniDues - app"icab"e t# #ther nati#ns, &edia, as e"" as the U!S! - inc"ude:

Suppression .$ (mission, Attac/ and "estro$ the *arget, 0a'eling, Preemptive Assumption, %ace-1alue *ransmission, Slighting of &ontent, %alse .alancing, %ollow-up Avoidance, %raming,
9urther&#re, ith c#ncentrated # nership increasing =as is discussed in detai" in the ne(t secti#n #n this site> a narr# er range #' disc#urse can arise, s#&eti&es ith#ut rea"iBing! The c#nseDuences #' hich are su&&ed up by the '#""# ing 'r#& UK &edia atchd#g, MediaLens: 9#cusing #n "eaders, th#ughts is #'ten a *ind #' pr#paganda! 4t in)#")es repeating the g#)ern&ent "ine ith#ut c#&&ent, thereby a""# ing 0#urna"ists t# c"ai& neutra"ity as si&p"e c#nduits supp"ying in'#r&ati#n! ?ut it is n#t neutra" t# repeat the g#)ern&ent "ine hi"e ign#ring critics #' that "ine, as #'ten happens! 4t is a"s# n#t neutra" t# inc"ude &i"der criticis& si&p"y because it is )#iced by a di''erent secti#n #' the estab"ish&ent, hi"e ign#ring &#re radica", but perhaps eDua""y rati#na", critiDues 'r#& bey#nd the state% c#rp#rate pa"e! A big "ess#n #' hist#ry is that it is r#ng t# assu&e that p# er, #r .respectabi"ity/, c#n'ers rati#na"ity! Media ana"yst Shar#n ?eder describes the rea"ity #' &uch &ainstrea& rep#rting:

.?a"ance &eans ensuring that state&ents by th#se cha""enging the estab"ish&ent are ba"anced ith state&ents by th#se h#& they are criticising, th#ugh n#t necessari"y the #ther ay r#und!/ Ta"* #' "eaders, .h#pes/ teaches us t# e&pathise ith their ishes by pers#na"ising issues: .?"air desperate"y h#pes t# bui"d bridges in the Midd"e 1ast!/ This is a"s# a *ind #' pr#paganda based #n 'a"se assu&pti#ns! 4t assu&es that the rea"ity #' p#"iticians, .h#pes/ - their intenti#ns, &#ti)ati#ns and g#a"s - is identica" t# the appearance! Machia)e""i as *ind en#ugh t# e(p"ain hat e)ery p#"itician *n# s, and hat a"&#st a"" c#rp#rate &edia 0#urna"ists 'eign n#t t# *n# : .4t is n#t essentia", then, that a Prince sh#u"d ha)e a"" the g##d Dua"ities hich 4 ha)e enu&erated ab#)e E&ercy, g##d 'aith, integrity, hu&anity, and re"igi#nF but it is &#st essentia" that he sh#u"d seem t# ha)e the&A 4 i"" e)en )enture t# a''ir& that i' he has and in)ariab"y practises the& a"", they are hurt'u"!/ - 'a(id 1d$ards, #urnin #o$ards !ra5, Media Lens, :o(em7er .7, .//1 01mphasis is ori inal3 As &enti#ned ab#)e 0ust c#ncentrating and rep#rting #n the .#''icia" "ine/ ith#ut #''ering a ider set #' perspecti)es can a"s# i&pact pe#p"e,s #pini#ns! 4n an#ther artic"e, MediaLens a"s# high"ights this and the i&pact it has #n h# g"#ba" issues are percei)ed: 5ne #' the secrets #' &edia &anipu"ati#n is t# rep#rt the h#rr#r and stri'e #' the #r"d as th#ugh +estern p# er, interests and &achinati#ns did n#t e(ist! Mast p#)erty, in0ustice and cha#s in the Third +#r"d are depicted as unc#nnected t# the c##" #ases #' ci)i"isati#n in 1ur#pe and the United States, hich "##* #n benign"y but he"p"ess"y, #r pitch in her#ica""y t# right r#ngs as 'ar as they are ab"e! The idea, '#r e(a&p"e, that the )ast ec#n#&ic and &i"itary &ight #' ;#rth A&erica &ight in s#&e ay be "in*ed t# the )ast p#)erty and su''ering #' neighb#uring 3entra" and S#uth A&erica is unthin*ab"e! An i&p#rtant 'eature #' the rep#rting that &aintains this audaci#us decepti#n-n#t c#nsci#us"y but thr#ugh an interna"ised sense #' hat is .0ust n#t d#ne/ - is t# re"ay #ur ene&ies, .c"ai&s/ #' benign &#ti)es as c"ai&s, hi"e rep#rting #ur g#)ern&ents, c"ai&s ith#ut c#&&ent, #r as #b)i#us"y true - the &essage, tire"ess"y repeated, gets thr#ugh t# the pub"ic and an i&p#rtant pr#paganda 'uncti#n is thereby 'u"'i""ed! This is ca""ed .h#nest, 'actua" rep#rting/! - 'a(id 1d$ards, Bur%in Bi Business, Media Lens, Ma% .., .//. 01mphasis is ori inal3 9urther&#re =and hi"e n#t a c#&p"ete study #' the &ainstrea& &edia>, &edia atchd#g, 9airness and Accuracy 4n <ep#rting =9A4<> did a study sh# ing that there can be hea)y p#"itica" biases #n e)en the &#st p#pu"ar &ainstrea& &edia #ut"ets! The #ut"ets they "##*ed at ere A?3 +#r"d ;e s T#night, 3?S 1)ening ;e s and ;?3 ;ight"y ;e s in the year 2001! They '#und that .H2 percent #' a"" U!S! s#urces inter)ie ed ere hite, G5 percent ere &a"e and, here party a''i"iati#n as identi'iab"e, $5 percent ere <epub"ican!/ ?ac* t# t#p

Propaganda in "emocracies
Pr#paganda in t#ta"itarian regi&es is easy t# rec#gniBe '#r its b"atant and crude &eth#ds! 4n de&#cratic

s#cieties, pr#paganda e(ists, as &#st #' the ab#)e attests t#! ?ut, it is harder t# see! As a result, it is important to /eep such elements of propaganda in mind when we see coverage of conflicts or even other issues in the media, regardless of the media organi#ation and their apparent reputation2 4n &any de&#cracies, pe#p"e h#"d dear the 'reed#& #' speech that they are supp#sed t# ha)e! @et, .pr#paganda is t# de&#cracy hat )i#"ence is t# t#ta"itarianis&,/ n#tes ;#a& 3h#&s*y! Pub"ic acc#untabi"ity #' &a0#r instituti#ns and #' the g#)ern&ent &ust be c#nstant"y &aintained t# a)#id pr#paganda! 4n 1H21, the 'a&#us A&erican 0#urna"ist +a"ter Lipp&ann said that the art #' de&#cracy reDuires hat he ca""ed the .&anu'acture #' c#nsent!/ This phrase is an 5r e""ian euphe&is& '#r th#ught c#ntr#"! The idea is that in a state such as the U!S! here the g#)ern&ent can,t c#ntr#" the pe#p"e by '#rce, it had better c#ntr#" hat they thin*! The S#)iet Uni#n is at the #pp#site end #' the spectru& 'r#& us in its d#&estic 'reed#&s! 4t,s essentia""y a c#untry run by the b"udge#n! 4t,s )ery easy t# deter&ine hat pr#paganda is in the USS<: hat the state pr#duces is pr#paganda! L Pr#paganda is t# de&#cracy hat )i#"ence is t# t#ta"itarianis&! L 9#r th#se h# stubb#rn"y see* 'reed#& ar#und the #r"d, there can be n# &#re urgent tas* than t# c#&e t# understand the &echanis&s and practices #' ind#ctrinati#n! These are easy t# percei)e in the t#ta"itarian s#cieties, &uch "ess s# in the pr#paganda syste& t# hich e are sub0ected and in hich a"" t## #'ten e ser)e as un i""ing #r un itting instru&ents! - :oam Choms"%, Propa anda, 2mericanFst%le, !nter(ie$ conducted 7% 'a(id Barsamian o+ 84:UF ;adio in Boulder, Colorado 0Mid 19-&3 P# er &ust be he"d acc#untab"e! The &ainstrea& &edia is a pi""ar #' a 'uncti#ning de&#cracy, and #ne #' its r#"es there'#re, is t# h#"d p# er acc#untab"e! +hat 0#urna"is& is rea""y ab#ut-it,s t# &#nit#r p# er and the centres #' p# er! - 2mira Hass, 5uoted 7% ;o7ert 9is", 2mira Hass* Li+e under !sraeli occupationE7% an !sraeli, #he !ndependent, 2u ust .&, .//1 ?ac* t# t#p

Wh$ "oes So Much Propaganda Wor/3

Pr#paganda see&s t# #r* because #' a nu&ber #' reas#ns, inc"uding: Pe#p"e ish t# be"ie)e the best ab#ut the&se")es and their c#untryA 9ear%&#ngering, especia""y ab#ut the threat t# cherished )a"ues such as 'reed#& and 0usticeA Presenting 'ears and c"ai&s that appear "#gica" and 'actua"! Media &anage&ent and pub"ic re"ati#ns is )ery pr#'essi#na" Managing th#ughts by narr# ing ranges #' debate, thus &ini&iBing ide"y discussed th#ughts that de)iate 'r#& the &ain agendasA

Wanting to 'elieve the 'est of ourselves

4n de&#cracies, pe#p"e "i*e t# be"ie)e that they and their c#untries are genera""y g##d, '#r i' it as any #ther ay then it brings int# &#ra" Duesti#n a"" they *n# and h#"d dear! The hist#ries #' s#&e nati#ns &ay ha)e in)#")ed #)erc#&ing ad)ersaries '#r "egiti&ate reas#ns =e!g! the A&erican ar t# gain its independence and 'reed#& 'r#& the ?ritish 1&pire as #ne based #n str#ng &#ra" gr#unds #' 'reed#& 'r#& i&peria" ru"e>! Such i&p#rtant hist#ry is #'ten rec#unted and re&e&bered as part #' the c#""ecti)e cu"ture #' the c#untry and th#se sa&e )a"ues are pr#0ected int# &#dern ti&es! Pr#paganda s#&eti&es #r*s by creating the 'ear #' "#sing such cherished )a"ues! The '#""# ing perhaps ser)e as #&in#us arnings, gi)en the s#urce: A"" pr#paganda &ust be s# p#pu"ar and #n such an inte""ectua" "e)e", that e)en the &#st stupid #' th#se t# ards h#& it is directed i"" understand itL! Thr#ugh c"e)er and c#nstant app"icati#n #' pr#paganda, pe#p"e can be &ade t# see paradise as he"", and a"s# the #ther ay ar#und, t# c#nsider the &#st retched s#rt #' "i'e as paradise! - 2dol+ Hitler The siBe #' the "ie is a de'inite 'act#r in causing it t# be be"ie)ed, '#r the )ast &asses #' a nati#n are in the depths #' their hearts &#re easi"y decei)ed than they are c#nsci#us"y bad! The pri&iti)e si&p"icity #' their &inds renders the& a &#re easy prey t# a big "ie than t# a s&a"" "ie! 9#r they the&se")es #'ten te"" "itt"e "ies, but #u"d be asha&ed t# te"" big "ies! - 2dol+ Hitler

%ear-mongering and distorting facts

CuiterreB, &enti#ned &uch 'urther ab#)e, a"s# inter)ie s 6r! ;ancy Sn# , =#nce a .pr#pagandist/ '#r the U!S! 4n'#r&ati#n Agency as she ad&its in her 1HHG b##*, Propa anda !ncC Sellin 2merica?s Culture to the World>! Sn# suggests that y#u d#n,t need 'acts, 0ust the best 'acts: ECi)en a"" the re)e"ati#ns discrediting ?ush,s reas#ns '#r ar ith 4raD,F .@#u &ay #nder hy it is that a &a0#rity #' A&ericans sti"" "in* Sadda& t# H/11,/ says Sn# ! .The reas#n '#r such a be"ie' is because the A&erican pe#p"e ere repeated"y t#"d by the President and his inner circ"e that Sadda&,s e)i" a"#ne as en#ugh t# be "in*ed t# H/11 and that gi)en ti&e, he #u"d ha)e used his eap#ns against us! +ith pr#paganda, y#u d#n,t need 'acts per se, 0ust the best 'acts put '#r ard! 4' these 'acts &a*e sense t# pe#p"e, then they d#n,t need pr##' "i*e #ne &ight need in a c#urtr##&!/ Acc#rding t# Sn# , the U!S! g#)ern&ent succeeded in .dri)ing the agenda/ and .&i"*ing the st#ry/ =&a(i&ising &edia c#)erage #' a particu"ar issue by the care'u" use #' E&edia &anage&entF!> .That,s a"s# )ery c#&&#n"y practice,/ she says! .+hen a c#untry g#es #'' t# ar, s# g#es its &edia ith it! The ne s &edia ere caught up in the ra""y r#und the '"ag syndr#&e! They ere '#rced t# ch##se a side, and gi)en the ch#ices, h#se side did they "#gica""y ch##se but the U!S!8/ - Mirren 4uiterre<, #he GPropF2 endaG at War, !nter Press Ser(ice, June .7, .//> 9urther&#re, s#&e pr#paganda that &ay be e''ecti)e t# nati#na" audiences i"" n#t #r* #n '#reign

audiences: +hi"e the U!S! g#)ern&ent ca&paign E'#r ar #n 4raDF had an i&pact #n the U!S! pub"ic, the .percepti#n &anage&ent/ as a 'ai"ure at in'"uencing '#reign audiences! Acc#rding t# EPr#'ess#r <anda"" ?yt er*, a specia"ist in pr#pagandaF .it is 'ar easier t# &a*e pr#paganda at h#&e than abr#ad! 5ne has &#re credibi"ity at h#&e, and &uch &#re in c#&&#n ith the audience! A"th#ugh ;aBi pr#paganda as n#t c#&p"ete"y be"ie)ed by Cer&ans, they be"ie)ed hat their g#)ern&ent said 'ar &#re than the ?ritish be"ie)ed Cer&an pr#paganda, '#r e(a&p"e! A"" things being eDua", &#st pe#p"e ant t# be"ie)e they "i)e in a g##d c#untry!/ - Mirren 4uiterre<, #he GPropF2 endaG at War, !nter Press Ser(ice, June .7, .//> 4t sh#u"d be n#ted that in the U!K!, the #ther &a0#r c#untry t# supp#rt ar #n 4raD, the p#pu"ati#n as "ess easi"y c#n)inced ab#ut the )ari#us c"ai&s 0usti'ied '#r ar! 5ne reas#n, =re)ea"ed by an insight int# h# the U!S! supp#rted an 4raDi e(i"e ith a g"#ba" &edia &anage&ent ca&paign and e(tensi)e pub"ic re"ati#ns acti)ities> n#ted that the c"i&ate in the U!S! a'ter Septe&ber 11, 2001 as #ne #' 'ear! ?y using the 'ear #' &#re terr#rist attac*s against the U!S!, the ?ush Ad&inistrati#n as targeting its ca&paign t# ards its h#&e audience! The ?ritish pub"ic, hi"e 'ee"ing deep sy&pathy t# ards the A&ericans '#r their su''ering, had n#t su''ered such a h#rri'ic attac* s# recent"y, and, c#&bined ith #ther 'act#rs =e!g! a &#re di)erse &ainstrea& &edia>, did n#t ha)e the sa&e attitude t# ards g#)ern&ent c"ai&s as the A&erican pub"ic did! ;atura""y the c#&&#n pe#p"e d#n,t ant ar: ;either in <ussia, n#r in 1ng"and, n#r '#r that &atter in Cer&any! That is underst##d! ?ut, a'ter a"", it is the "eaders #' the c#untry h# deter&ine the p#"icy and it is a" ays a si&p"e &atter t# drag the pe#p"e a"#ng, hether it is a de&#cracy, #r a 'ascist dictat#rship, #r a par"ia&ent, #r a c#&&unist dictat#rship! L M#ice #r n# )#ice, the pe#p"e can a" ays be br#ught t# the bidding #' the "eaders! That is easy! A"" y#u ha)e t# d# is te"" the& they are being attac*ed, and den#unce the peace&a*ers '#r "ac* #' patri#tis& and e(p#sing the c#untry t# danger! 4t #r*s the sa&e in any c#untry! - 4eneral Herman 4oerin , President o+ 4erman ;eichsta and :a<i Part%, Commander o+ Lu+t$a++e durin World War !!, 2pril 1-, 19>&. 0#his 5uote is said to ha(e 7een made durin the :urem7ur #rials, 7ut in +act, $hile durin the time o+ the trials, $as made in pri(ate to an 2llied intelli ence o++icer, later pu7lished in the 7oo", :urem7ur 'iar%.3

Media management and pu'lic relations is ver$ professional

The i&pacts #' pub"ic re"ati#ns cann#t be underesti&ated! 4n the c#&&ercia" #r"d, &ar*eting and ad)ertising are typica""y needed t# &a*e pe#p"e a are #' pr#ducts! There are &any issues in that area a"#ne = hich is "##*ed at in this site,s secti#n #n c#rp#rate &edia!> +hen it c#&es t# pr#paganda '#r purp#ses #' ar, '#r e(a&p"e, pr#'essi#na" pub"ic re"ati#ns 'ir&s can #'ten be in)#")ed t# he"p se"" a ar! 4n cases here a ar is Duesti#nab"e, the P< 'ir&s are indirect"y c#ntributing t# the e)entua" and there'#re una)#idab"e casua"ties! Media &anage&ent &ay a"s# be used t# pr#&#te certain p#"itica" p#"icies and ide#"#gies! +here this is pr#b"e&atic '#r the citiBenry is hen &edia rep#rts #n )ari#us issues d# n#t attribute their s#urces pr#per"y! S#&e techniDues used by g#)ern&ents and parties/pe#p"e ith hidden agendas inc"ude: Paying 0#urna"ists t# pr#&#te certain issues ith#ut the 0#urna"ist ac*n# "edging this, #r

ith#ut the &edia &enti#ning the s#urcesA C#)ern&ents and indi)idua"s c#ntracting P< 'ir&s t# se"" a ar, #r #ther i&p#rtant issues 6isin'#r&ati#n #r partia" in'#r&ati#n rep#rted as ne s #r 'act ith#ut attributing s#urces that &ight be Duesti#nab"e P< 'ir&s 'eeding st#ries t# the press ith#ut re)ea"ing the nature #' the in'#r&ati#n ith the intenti#n #' creating a pub"ic #pini#n ='#r e(a&p"e, t# supp#rt a ar, as the pre)i#us "in* high"ights here e)en hu&an rights gr#ups 'e"" '#r s#&e #' the disin'#r&ati#n, thus creating an e)en &#re e''ecti)e pr#paganda ca&paign> The Cu"' +ar in 4raD, 1HH1, high"ighted a "#t #' P< #r* in acti#n! 9#under #' the +ashingt#n P< 'ir&, The <end#n Cr#up, 2#hn <end#n t#"d cadets at the U!S! Air 9#rce Acade&y in 1HH:: .4 a& n#t a nati#na" security strategist #r a &i"itary tactician,/ <end#n said! .4 a& a p#"itician, and a pers#n h# uses c#&&unicati#n t# &eet pub"ic p#"icy #r c#rp#rate p#"icy #b0ecti)es! 4n 'act, 4 a& an in'#r&ati#n arri#r and a percepti#n &anager!/ Ie re&inded the Air 9#rce cadets that hen )ict#ri#us tr##ps r#""ed int# Ku ait 3ity at the end #' the 'irst ar in the Persian Cu"', they ere greeted by hundreds #' Ku aitis a)ing s&a"" A&erican '"ags! The scene, '"ashed ar#und the #r"d #n te"e)isi#n screens, sent the &essage that U!S! Marines ere being e"c#&ed in Ku ait as "iberating her#es! .6id y#u e)er st#p t# #nder,/ <end#n as*ed, .h# the pe#p"e #' Ku ait 3ity, a'ter being he"d h#stage '#r se)en "#ng and pain'u" &#nths, ere ab"e t# get hand%he"d A&erican, and '#r that &atter, the '"ags #' #ther c#a"iti#n c#untries8/ Ie paused '#r e''ect! .+e"", y#u n# *n# the ans er! That as #ne #' &y 0#bs then!/ L Pub"ic re"ati#ns 'ir&s #'ten d# their #r* behind the scenesL!?ut his descripti#n #' hi&se"' as a .percepti#n &anager/ ech#es the "anguage #' Pentag#n p"anners, h# de'ine .percepti#n &anage&ent/ as .acti#ns t# c#n)ey and =#r> deny se"ected in'#r&ati#n and indicat#rs t# '#reign audiences t# in'"uence their e&#ti#ns, &#ti)es, and #b0ecti)e reas#ning! L 4n )ari#us ays, percepti#n &anage&ent c#&bines truth pr#0ecti#n, #perati#ns security, c#)er, and decepti#n, and psy#ps Epsych#"#gica" #perati#nsF!/ - Sheldon ;ampton and John Stau7er, Ho$ #o Sell a War, !n #hese #imes, > 2u ust, .//B Such technica" phrases "i*e .truth pr#0ecti#n/ hide their true &eanings and intent: pr#paganda! 5ne can understand h# these ha)e been tactics #' ar! 3hurchi"" used such a techniDue t# '##" the ;aBis regarding the ;#r&andy "andings, '#r e(a&p"e! @et, in the 4raD e(a&p"e, P< is turned #nt# #ne,s # n citiBens t# c#n)ince the& t# supp#rt a ar #r &a*e it "##* &#re g"#ri#us and right, than c#u"d #ther ise ha)e been!

"isseminating prepac/aged, even fa/e news

4n March 2005, the :e$ Dor" #imes re)ea"ed that there has been a "arge a&#unt #' 'a*e and prepac*aged ne s created by US g#)ern&ent depart&ents, such as the Pentag#n, the State 6epart&ent and #thers, and disse&inated thr#ugh the &ainstrea& &edia! The :e$ Dor" #imes n#ted a nu&ber #' i&p#rtant issues inc"uding: The US ?ush ad&inistrati#n has .aggressi)e"y/ used pub"ic re"ati#ns t# prepac*age ne s! 4ssues ith this ha)e inc"uded that: A nu&ber #' these g#)ern&ent%&ade ne s seg&ents are &ade t# "##* "i*e "#ca" ne s =either by the g#)ern&ent depart&ent #r by the recei)ing br#adcaster>A

 S#&eti&es these rep#rts ha)e fa/e reporters such as hen a .Jrep#rter, c#)ering airp#rt sa'ety as actua""y a pub"ic re"ati#ns pr#'essi#na" #r*ing under a 'a"se na&e '#r the Transp#rtati#n Security Ad&inistrati#n/A 5ther ti&es, there is n# &enti#n that a )ide# seg&ent is pr#duced by the g#)ern&entA +here there is s#&e attributi#n, ne s stati#ns si&p"y rebr#adcast the& but s#&eti&es ith#ut attributing the s#urce! These seg&ents ha)e reached &i""i#nsA This bene'its b#th the g#)ern&ent and the br#adcasterA This c#u"d a&#unt t# pr#paganda ithin the United States as e"" as internati#na""y! 1''ecti)e"y, A&erican ta( payers ha)e paid t# be sub0ected t# pr#paganda disse&inated thr#ugh these &assaged &essaged! This issue is c#)ered in &#re depth #n this site,s &edia &anipu"ati#n secti#n!

Smear tactics are increasing in sophistication

S&ear tactics are #'ten used t# discredit, stain #r destr#y the reputati#n #' s#&e#ne! 4t is un'#rtunate"y c#&&#n%p"ace and is an age%#"d techniDue! 4t can either in)#")e #utright "ies, #r a dist#rti#n #' the truth! +ith the increasing p#pu"arity #' the 4nternet, and search engines such as C##g"e, s&earing is ta*ing #n additi#na" '#r&s and techniDues! 2uan 3#"e, a pr#'ess#r #' hist#ry has described hat he has c#ined a .C##g"eS&ear/ as a p#"itica" tactic t# discredit hi&! Iis pers#na" e(perience is Du#ted here: 4t see&s t# &e that 6a)id I#r# itB and s#&e 'ar right ing 'riends #' his ha)e hit up#n a ne ay #' discrediting a p#"itica" #pp#nent, hich is the C##g"eS&ear! 4t is an easy &aneu)er '#r s#&e#ne "i*e I#r# itB, h# has e(tre&e"y ea"thy bac*ers, t# set up a eb &agaBine that has a high pr#'i"e and is inde(ed in g##g"e ne s! Then he 0ust c#&&issi#ns pers#ns t# rite up "ies ab#ut pe#p"e "i*e &e ="ea)ened ith innuend# and #ut%#'%c#nte(t Du#tes>! Any#ne g##g"ing &e i"" "i*e"y c#&e up#n the s&ear pr#'i"es, and they can be passed ar#und t# 0#urna"ists and p#"iticians as th#ugh they ere actua" in'#r&ati#n! - Juan Cole, #he 4oo leSmear as Political #actic, !n+ormed Comment Blo , March .7, .//=

Narrowing the Range of "e'ate

The s&art ay t# *eep pe#p"e passi)e and #bedient is t# strict"y "i&it the spectru& #' acceptab"e #pini#n, but a""# )ery "i)e"y debate ithin that spectru&-e)en enc#urage the &#re critica" and dissident )ie s! That gi)es pe#p"e the sense that there,s 'ree thin*ing g#ing #n, hi"e a"" the ti&e the presupp#siti#ns #' the syste& are being rein'#rced by the "i&its put #n the range #' the debate! - :oam Choms"%, #he Common 4ood, 6donian Press, 1994n ter&s #' narr# ing the range #' debate #r disc#urse, this is ab#ut discussing issues ithin a "i&ited range #' ideas and #pini#ns! +hi"e this gi)es the appearance #' debate and discussi#n, #'ten deeper and ider issues are n#t discussed, thus "#sing i&p#rtant c#nte(t! This #'ten #ccurs un*n# ing"y, but is syste&ic in nature! ;#a& 3h#&s*y captures this )ery e"": Since the )#ice #' the pe#p"e is a""# ed t# spea* #ut Ein de&#cratic s#cietiesF, th#se in p# er better c#ntr#" hat that )#ice says - in #ther #rds, c#ntr#" hat pe#p"e thin*! 5ne

#' the ays t# d# this is t# create p#"itica" debate that appears t# e&brace &any #pini#ns, but actua""y stays ithin )ery narr# &argins! @#u ha)e t# &a*e sure that b#th sides in the debate accept certain assu&pti#ns - and that th#se assu&pti#ns are the basis #' the pr#paganda syste&! As "#ng as e)ery#ne accepts the pr#paganda syste&, the debate is per&issib"e! 6uring the Mietna& +ar, the U!S! pr#paganda syste& did its 0#b partia""y but n#t entire"y! A&#ng educated pe#p"e it #r*ed )ery e""! Studies sh# that a&#ng the &#re educated parts #' the p#pu"ati#n, the g#)ern&ent,s pr#paganda ab#ut the ar is n# accepted unDuesti#ning"y! 5ne reas#n that pr#paganda #'ten #r*s better #n the educated than #n the uneducated is that educated pe#p"e read &#re, s# they recei)e &#re pr#paganda! An#ther is that they ha)e 0#bs in &anage&ent, &edia, and acade&ia and there'#re #r* in s#&e capacity as agents #' the pr#paganda syste& - and they be"ie)e hat the syste& e(pects the& t# be"ie)e! ?y and "arge, they,re part #' the pri)i"eged e"ite, and share the interests and percepti#ns #' th#se in p# er! - :oam Choms"%, Propa anda, 2mericanFst%le, !nter(ie$ conducted 7% 'a(id Barsamian o+ 84:UF ;adio in Boulder, Colorado 0Mid 19-&3 At ti&es, this can be part #' a g#)ern&ent,s agenda, t# de'"ect #r direct a range #' disc#urse! The s#% ca""ed .per&itted para&eters #' debate/ #r .pr#p%agenda/ then gi)es the appearance #' c#nsensus and de&#cratic pr#cess! ?rian 1n# captures this aspect in ta"*ing ab#ut recent A&erican '#reign p#"icy acti#ns: 4n the +est the ca"cu"ated &anipu"ati#n #' pub"ic #pini#n t# ser)e p#"itica" and ide#"#gica" interests is &uch &#re c#)ert and there'#re &uch &#re e''ecti)e Ethan a pr#paganda syste& i&p#sed in a t#ta"itarian regi&eF! 4ts greatest triu&ph is that e genera""y d#n,t n#tice it #r "augh at the n#ti#n it e)en e(ists! +e atch the de&#cratic pr#cess ta*ing p"ace-heated debates in hich e 'ee" e c#u"d ha)e a )#ice - and thin* that, because e ha)e .'ree/ &edia, it #u"d be hard '#r the C#)ern&ent t# get a ay ith anything )ery de)i#us ith#ut s#&e#ne ca""ing the& #n it! Lthe ne A&erican appr#ach t# s#cia" c#ntr#" is s# &uch &#re s#phisticated and per)asi)e that it rea""y deser)es a ne na&e! 4t isn,t 0ust pr#paganda any &#re, it,s .pr#p% agenda!/ 4t,s n#t s# &uch the c#ntr#" #' hat e thin*, but the c#ntr#" #' hat e thin* ab#ut! +hen #ur g#)ern&ents ant t# se"" us a c#urse #' acti#n, they d# it by &a*ing sure it,s the #n"y thing #n the agenda, the #n"y thing e)ery#ne,s ta"*ing ab#ut! And they pre%"#ad the ensuing discussi#n ith high"y se"ected i&ages, de)i#us and pre0udicia" "anguage, dubi#us "in*ages, ea* #r 'a"se .inte""igence/ and se"ected ."ea*s/! =+hat e"se can the spat bet een the ??3 and A"astair 3a&pbe"" be but a pri&e e(a&p"e #' this8> +ith the gr#und thus prepared, g#)ern&ents are happy i' y#u then .use the de&#cratic pr#cess/ t# agree #r disagree - '#r, a'ter a"", their intenti#n is t# &#bi"ise en#ugh head"ines and c#n)ersati#n t# &a*e the h#"e thing see& rea" and urgent! The &#re e&#ti#na" the debate, the better! 1&#ti#n creates rea"ity, rea"ity de&ands acti#n! - Brian 1no, Lessons in ho$ to lie a7out !ra5, #he 67ser(erH4uardian, 2u ust 17, .//B A su&&ary 'r#& 1d ard Ier&an and ;#a& 3h#&s*y is a"s# #rth citing: 4t is &uch &#re di''icu"t t# see a pr#paganda syste& at #r* here the &edia are pri)ate

and '#r&a" cens#rship is absent! This is especia""y true here the &edia acti)e"y c#&pete, peri#dica""y attac* and e(p#se c#rp#rate and g#)ern&ent &a"'easance, and aggressi)e"y p#rtray the&se")es as sp#*es&en '#r 'ree speech and the genera" c#&&unity interest! +hat is n#t e)ident =and re&ains undiscussed in the &edia> is the limited nature #' such critiDues, as e"" as the huge ineDua"ity #' the c#&&and #' res#urces, and its e''ect b#th #n access t# a pri)ate &edia syste& and #n its beha)i#r and per'#r&ance! =1&phasis Added> 1d$ard S. Herman and :oam Choms"%, Manu+acturin ConsentC #he Political 1conom% o+ the Mass Media, 0Pantheon Boo"s, :e$ Dor", 19--3, pp. Ii(, 1E..

Elements of Propaganda
Pr#paganda can ser)e t# ra""y pe#p"e behind a cause, but #'ten at the c#st #' e(aggerating, &isrepresenting, #r e)en "ying ab#ut the issues in #rder t# gain that supp#rt! +hi"e the issue #' pr#paganda #'ten is discussed in the c#nte(t #' &i"itaris&, ar and ar%&#ngering, it is ar#und us in a"" aspects #' "i'e! As the )ari#us e(a&p"es be"# inc"ude: i"" sh# , c#&&#n tactics in pr#paganda #'ten used by either side

Using selective stories that c#&e #)er as ide%c#)ering and #b0ecti)e! Partial facts, #r hist#rica" c#nte(t Reinforcing reasons and motivations t# act due t# threats #n the security #' the indi)idua"! Narrow sources of e perts! t# pr#)ide insights in t# the situati#n! =9#r e(a&p"e, the &ainstrea& &edia typica""y inter)ie retired &i"itary pers#nne" '#r &any c#n'"ict%re"ated issues, #r treat #''icia" g#)ern&ent s#urces as 'act, rather than 0ust #ne perspecti)e that needs t# be )eri'ied and researched>! "emoni#ing the enem$! h# d#es n#t 'it the picture #' hat is .right/! Using a narrow range of discourse, hereby 0udg&ents are #'ten &ade hi"e the b#undary #' disc#urse itse"', #r the 'ra&e #r* ithin hich the #pini#ns are '#r&ed, are #'ten n#t discussed! The narr# '#cus then he"ps t# ser)e the interests #' the pr#pagandists! S#&e #' the '#""# ing secti#ns "##* int# h# pr#paganda is used in )ari#us ays, e(panding #n the ab#)e "ist #' tactics and de)ices! ?ac* t# t#p

Propaganda and War

At ti&es #' ar, #r bui"d up '#r ar, &essages #' e(tre&ities and hate, c#&bined ith e&#ti#ns #' h#n#r and righte#usness interp"ay t# pr#)ide p# er'u" pr#paganda '#r a cause! The 'irst casua"ty hen ar c#&es is Truth - U.S. Senator Hiram Johnson, 1917 Many say that it is ine)itab"e in ar that pe#p"e i"" die! @et, in &any cases, ar itse"' is n#t ine)itab"e, and pr#paganda is #'ten e&p"#yed t# g# c"#ser t# ar, i' that is the pre'erred '#reign p#"icy #pti#n!

4ndeed, #nce ar starts, ci)i"ian casua"ties are un'#rtunate"y a"&#st a guaranteed certainty! 4n arti&e, truth is s# preci#us that she sh#u"d a" ays be attended by a b#dyguard #' "ies! - Winston Churchill, British Prime Minister durin World War !! Th#se h# pr#&#te the negati)e i&age #' the .ene&y/ &ay #'ten rein'#rce it ith rhet#ric ab#ut the righte#usness #' the&se")esA the atte&pt is t# &uster up supp#rt and nurture the be"ie' that hat is t# be d#ne is in the p#siti)e and bene'icia" interest #' e)ery#ne! 5'ten, the princip"es used t# de&#niBe the #ther, is n#t used t# 0udge the se"', "eading t# accusati#ns #' d#ub"e standards and hyp#crisy! ;e(t the states&en i"" in)ent cheap "ies, putting the b"a&e up#n the nati#n that is attac*ed, and e)ery &an i"" be g"ad #' th#se c#nscience%s##thing 'a"sities, and i"" di"igent"y study the&, and re'use t# e(a&ine any re'utati#ns #' the&A and thus he i"" by and by c#n)ince hi&se"' that the ar is 0ust, and i"" than* C#d '#r the better s"eep he en0#ys a'ter this pr#cess #' gr#tesDue se"'%decepti#n! - Mar" #$ain, #he M%sterious Stran er, 191&, Ch.9 The "ist #' tactics used in pr#paganda "isted 'urther ab#)e is a"s# e(pressed in a si&i"ar ay by 2#hann Ca"tung, a pr#'ess#r #' Peace Studies and su&&ariBed here by 6anny Schechter: EPr#'ess#rF Ca"tung "aid #ut 12 p#ints #' c#ncern here 0#urna"is& #'ten g#es r#ng hen dea"ing ith )i#"ence! 1ach i&p"icit"y suggests &#re e(p"icit re&edies! 1! "econte tuali#ing violence: '#cusing #n the irrati#na" ith#ut "##*ing at the reas#ns '#r unres#")ed c#n'"icts and p#"ariBati#n! 2! "ualism: reducing the nu&ber #' parties in a c#n'"ict t# t #, hen #'ten &#re are in)#")ed! St#ries that 0ust '#cus #n interna" de)e"#p&ents #'ten ign#re such #utside #r .e(terna"/ '#rces as '#reign g#)ern&ents and transnati#na" c#&panies! 3! Manicheanism: p#rtraying #ne side as g##d and de&#niBing the #ther as .e)i"!/ 7! Armageddon: presenting )i#"ence as ine)itab"e, #&itting a"ternati)es! 5! %ocusing on individual acts of violence while avoiding structural causes, "i*e p#)erty, g#)ern&ent neg"ect and &i"itary #r p#"ice repressi#n! :! &onfusion: '#cusing #n"y #n the c#n'"ict arena =i!e!, the batt"e'ie"d #r "#cati#n #' )i#"ent incidents> but n#t #n the '#rces and 'act#rs that in'"uence the )i#"ence! $! E cluding and omitting the 'ereaved, thus ne)er e(p"aining hy there are acts #' re)enge and spira"s #' )i#"ence! G! %ailure to e plore the causes of escalation and the impact of media coverage itself! H! %ailure to e plore the goals of outside interventionists, especiall$ 'ig powers! 10!%ailure to e plore peace proposals and offer images of peaceful outcomes! 11!&onfusing cease-fires and negotiations with actual peace! 12!(mitting reconciliation: c#n'"icts tend t# ree&erge i' attenti#n is n#t paid t# e''#rts t# hea" 'ractured s#cieties! +hen ne s ab#ut atte&pts t# res#")e c#n'"icts are absent, 'ata"is& is rein'#rced! That can he"p engender e)en &#re )i#"ence, hen pe#p"e ha)e n# i&ages #r in'#r&ati#n ab#ut p#ssib"e peace'u" #utc#&es and the pr#&ise #' hea"ing! - 'ann% Schechter, Co(erin )iolence* Ho$ Should Media Handle Con+lict,, Jul% 1-, .//1 01mphasis 2dded3

Arthur Siege", a s#cia" science pr#'ess#r at @#r* Uni)ersity in T#r#nt#, describes '#ur "e)e"s #' )arieties #' pr#paganda: ;# &atter h# it is spread, pr#paganda c#&es in '#ur basic )arieties, said Arthur Siege", s#cia" science pr#'ess#r at @#r* Uni)ersity in T#r#nt#, h#se 1HH: b##* <adi# 3anada 4nternati#na" e(a&ines +#r"d +ar 44 and 3#"d +ar pr#paganda! .The 'irst "e)e" is the ?ig Lie, adapted by Iit"er and Sta"in! The state%c#ntr#""ed 1gyptian press has been spreading a ?ig Lie, saying the +#r"d Trade 3enter as attac*ed by 4srae" t# e&barrass Arabs,/ said Siege"! .The sec#nd "ayer says, J4t d#esn,t ha)e t# be the truth, s# "#ng as it,s p"ausib"e!, .The third strategy is t# te"" the truth but ithh#"d the #ther side,s p#int #' )ie ! .The '#urth and &#st pr#ducti)e is t# te"" the truth, the g##d and the bad, the "#sses and the gains! .C#)ern&ents in +estern s#ciety ta*e the "ast three steps! They a)#id the ?ig Lie, hich n#b#dy here i"" s a""# ,/ Siege" said! - Beth 4illin, U.S. intensi+ies the $ar o+ $ords, #he Philadelphia !ne5uirer, 6cto7er .1, .//1 +ith the "ast p#int ab#)e, Siege" is p#inting #ut that as e"" as .ene&ies/ ha)ing pr#paganda &echanis&s, e a"s# ha)e #ur # n pr#paganda &echanis&s!

Propaganda when Preparing or )ustif$ing War

4n preparing '#r #r 0usti'ying ar, additi#na" techniDues are #'ten e&p"#yed, *n# ing"y #r un*n# ing"y: 5tt#sen identi'ies se)era" *ey stages #' a &i"itary ca&paign t# .s#'ten up/ pub"ic #pini#n thr#ugh the &edia in preparati#n '#r an ar&ed inter)enti#n! These are: *he Preliminar$ Stage-during hich the c#untry c#ncerned c#&es t# the ne s, p#rtrayed as a cause '#r .&#unting c#ncern/ because #' p#)erty/dictat#rship/anarchyA *he )ustification Stage-during hich big ne s is pr#duced t# "end urgency t# the case '#r ar&ed inter)enti#n t# bring ab#ut a rapid restituti#n #' .n#r&a"ity/A *he +mplementation Stage- hen p##"ing and cens#rship pr#)ide c#ntr#" #' c#)erageA *he Aftermath-during hich n#r&a"ity is p#rtrayed as returning t# the regi#n, be'#re it #nce again dr#ps d# n the ne s agenda! 5,Kane n#tes .there is a" ays a dead baby st#ry/ and it c#&es at the *ey p#int #' the 2usti'icati#n Stage-in the '#r& #' a st#ry h#se apparent urgency br##*s n# de"ayspeci'ica""y, n# ti&e '#r c##" de"iberati#n #r neg#tiating #n peace pr#p#sa"s! Iu&an interest st#ries L are idea" '#r engendering this at&#sphere!

- #he Peace Journalist 6ption, Poiesis.or , 2u ust 1997 =5,Kane,s re'erence t# the dead baby st#ry is ab#ut the 1HH1 Cu"' +ar here a U!S! pub"ic re"ati#ns 'ir& g#t a Ku aiti A&bassad#r,s daughter t# p#se as a nurse c"ai&ing she sa 4raDi tr##ps *i""ing babies in h#spita"s! The purp#se #' this as t# create ar#usa" and de&#niBe 4raD s# ar as &#re acceptab"e! M#re in'#r&ati#n ab#ut this is #n this site,s 4raD secti#n!> A ard% inning in)estigati)e 0#urna"ist, Phi""ip Knight"ey, in an artic"e '#r the ?ritish paper, #he 4uardian a"s# p#ints #ut '#ur stages in preparing a nati#n '#r ar: 1! The crisis The rep#rting #' a crisis hich neg#tiati#ns appear unab"e t# res#")e! P#"iticians, hi"e ca""ing '#r dip"#&acy, arn #' &i"itary reta"iati#n! The &edia rep#rts this as .+e,re #n the brin* #' ar/, #r .+ar is ine)itab"e/, etc! 2! The de&#nisati#n #' the ene&y,s "eader 3#&paring the "eader ith Iit"er is a g##d start because #' the instant i&ages that Iit"er,s na&e pr#)#*es! 3! The de&#nisati#n #' the ene&y as indi)idua"s 9#r e(a&p"e, t# suggest the ene&y is insane! 7! Atr#cities 1)en &a*ing up st#ries t# hip up and strengthen e&#ti#na" reacti#ns! Knight"ey a"s# p#ints t# the di"e&&a that hi"e s#&e st#ries are *n# n t# ha)e been 'abricati#ns and #utright "ies, #thers &ay be true! The tr#ub"e is, he as*s, .h# can e te""8/ Iis ans er is un'#rtunate"y n#t t## reassuring: .The &edia de&ands that e trust it but t## #'ten that trust has been betrayed!/ The di''icu"ty that h#nest 0#urna"ists 'ace is a"s# hinted t# in an#ther artic"e by Knight"ey: 5ne di''icu"ty is that the &edia ha)e "itt"e #r n# &e&#ry! +ar c#rresp#ndents ha)e sh#rt #r*ing "i)es and there is n# traditi#n #r &eans '#r passing #n their *n# "edge and e(perience! The &i"itary, #n the #ther hand, is an instituti#n and g#es #n '#re)er! The &i"itary "earned a "#t 'r#& Mietna& and these days p"ans its &edia strategy ith as &uch attenti#n as its &i"itary strategy! - Phillip 8ni htle%, 9i htin dirt%, #he 4uardian, March ./, ./// Miren CuiterreB, edit#r%in%chie' #' !nter Press Ser(ice n#tes a nu&ber #' e"e&ents #' pr#paganda ta*ing the &#re recent ars int# acc#unt, the .+ar #n terr#r/ and the 4raD crisis! Su&&ing up his sh#rt but detai"ed rep#rt, he inc"udes the '#""# ing as pr#paganda strategies: 4nc#&p"eteness 4naccuracy 6ri)ing the agenda Mi"*ing the st#ry =&a(i&iBing &edia c#)erage #' a particu"ar issue by the care'u" use #' brie'ings, "ea*ing pieces #' a 0igsa t# di''erent #ut"ets, a""# ing 0#urna"ists t# piece the st#ry t#gether and dri)e the st#ry up the ne s agenda, etc!> 1(p"#iting that e ant t# be"ie)e the best #' #urse")es Percepti#n Manage&ent =in particu"ar by using P< 'ir&s> <ein'#rcing e(isting attitudes Si&p"e, repetiti#us and e&#ti#na" phrases =e!g! ar #n terr#r, a(is #' e)i", eap#ns #' &ass destructi#n, sh#c* and a e, ar #' "iberati#n, etc>

Militar$ &ontrol of +nformation

Mi"itary c#ntr#" #' in'#r&ati#n during ar ti&e is a"s# a &a0#r c#ntributing 'act#r t# pr#paganda, especia""y hen the &edia g# a"#ng ith it ith#ut Duesti#n! The &i"itary rec#gniBes the )a"ues #' &edia and in'#r&ati#n c#ntr#" )ery e""! +nformation (perations The &i"itary #'ten &anipu"ates the &ainstrea& &edia, by restricting #r &anaging hat in'#r&ati#n is presented and hence hat the pub"ic are t#"d! 9#r the& it is para&#unt t# c#ntr#" the &edia! This can in)#")e a"" &anner #' acti)ities, 'r#& #rganiBing &edia sessi#ns and dai"y press brie'ings, #r thr#ugh pr#)iding &anaged access t# ar B#nes, t# e)en p"anting st#ries! This has happened thr#ugh#ut the 20th century! 5)er ti&e then, the ay that the &edia c#)ers c#n'"icts degrades in Dua"ity, critiDue and #b0ecti)eness! .4n'#r&ati#n is the currency #' )ict#ry/ an August 1HH: U!S! Ar&y 'ie"d &anua"! 9r#& a &i"itary,s perspecti)e, in'#r&ati#n ar'are is an#ther 'r#nt #n hich a batt"e &ust be '#ught! I# e)er, as e"" as needing t# decei)e ad)ersaries, in #rder t# &aintain pub"ic supp#rt, in'#r&ati#n t# their # n pub"ic &ust n# d#ubt be &anaged as e""! That &a*es sense 'r#& a &i"itary perspecti)e! S#&eti&es the pub"ic can be i""ing t# sacri'ice detai"ed *n# "edge! ?ut that can a"s# "ead t# unacc#untabi"ity and hen in'#r&ati#n that is presented has been &anaged such, pr#paganda is #'ten the resu"t! ?ee"&an a"s# describes h# this 4n'#r&ati#n 5perati#ns is used t# &anage in'#r&ati#n: 9#r rep#rters c#)ering this ar E#n terr#ris&F, the cha""enge is n#t 0ust in getting un'ettered and uncens#red access t# U!S! tr##ps and the batt"e'ie"d-a "#ng and &#st"y "#sing strugg"e in the past-but in discerning bet een in'#r&ati#n and disin'#r&ati#n! That is &ade a"" the &#re di''icu"t by a 27%h#ur ne s cyc"e, ad)anced techn#"#gy, and the &i"itary,s gr# ing '#ndness '#r a discip"ine it ca""s .4n'#r&ati#n 5perati#ns!/ 45, as it is *n# n, gr#ups t#gether in'#r&ati#n 'uncti#ns ranging 'r#& pub"ic a''airs =PA, the &i"itary sp#*espers#ns c#rps> t# &i"itary decepti#n and psych#"#gica" #perati#ns, #r PS@5P! +hat this &eans is that pe#p"e h#se 0#b traditi#na""y has been t# ta"* t# the &edia and di)u"ge truth'u""y hat they are ab"e t# te"" n# #r* hand%in%g"#)e ith th#se h#se 0#b it is t# supp#rt batt"e'ie"d #perati#ns ith in'#r&ati#n, n#t a"" #' hich &ay be truth'u"! - Maud S. Beelman, #he 'an ers o+ 'isin+ormation in the War on #errorism, Co(era e o+ #errorism Women and Journalism* !nternational Perspecti(es, +rom :ieman ;eports Ma a<ine, Winter .//1, )ol. ==, :o.>, p.1&. 0+rom #he :ieman 9oundation +or Journalism at Har(ard Uni(ersit%3 6anny Schechter, a"s# re'erring t# the artic"e ab#)e by ?ee"&an, describes 4n'#r&ati#n 5perati#ns &#re b"unt"y as being .a ay #' #bscuring and sanitiBing that negati)e%s#unding ter& Jpr#paganda, s# that #ur Jin'#r&ati#n arri#rs, can d# their thing ith a &ini&u& #' pub"ic attenti#n as they see* t# engineer 'riend"y rite ups and cu&u"ati)e i&pact!/ This, he p#ints #ut, can be acc#&p"ished )ia se)era" strategies:

(verloading the Media, +deological Appeals, Spinning +nformation, Withholding +nformation, &o-(ption And &ollusion,

Em'edded )ournalists- An Advantage for the Militar$ 6uring the sh#rt in)asi#n #' 4raD in 2003, 0#urna"ists ere .e&bedded/ ith )ari#us 3#a"iti#n '#rces! This as an idea b#rn 'r#& the pub"ic re"ati#ns industry, and pr#)ided &edia #ut"ets a detai"ed and 'ascinating )ie '#r their audiences! 9#r the &i"itary, h# e)er, it pr#)ided a &eans t# c#ntr#" hat "arge audiences #u"d see, t# s#&e e(tent! 4ndependent 0#urna"ists #u"d be "##*ed up#n &#re suspici#us"y! 4n a ay, e&bedded 0#urna"ists ere un itting"y =s#&eti&es *n# ing"y> &a*ing a decisi#n t# be biased in their rep#rting, in 'a)#r #' the 3#a"iti#n tr##ps! 4' an e&bedded 0#urna"ist as t# rep#rt un'a)#rab"y #n c#a"iti#n '#rces they ere acc#&panying they #u"d n#t get any c##perati#n! S#, in a sense a""# ing 0#urna"ists t# get c"#ser &eant the &i"itary had &#re chance t# try and &anage the &essage! 4n U!K!, the Iist#ry 3hanne" br#adcasted a d#cu&entary #n August 21, 2007, tit"ed War Spin* Correspondent! This d#cu&entary "##*ed at 3#a"iti#n &edia &anage&ent '#r the 4raD ar and n#ted nu&er#us things inc"uding the '#""# ing: 1&bedded 0#urna"ists a""# ed the &i"itary t# &a(i&iBe i&agery hi"e pr#)iding &ini&a" insight int# the rea" issuesA 3entra" 3#&&and = here a"" th#se &i"itary press brie'ings ere he"d> as the &ain center 'r#& hich t#: 9i"ter, &anage and drip%'eed 0#urna"ists ith hat they anted t# pr#)ideA C"#ss #)er set%bac*s, hi"e d e""ing #n successesA Li&it the 'acts and c#nte(tA 1)en 'eed "ies t# 0#urna"istsA Use spin in )ari#us ays, such as &a*ing it see&s as th#ugh rep#rts are c#&ing 'r#& tr##ps #n the gr#und, hich 3entra" 3#&&and can then c#n'ir&, s# as t# appear rea"A 3are'u""y p"an the range #' t#pics that c#u"d be discussed ith rep#rters, and hat t# a)#id! 4n su&&ary then, the d#cu&entary c#nc"uded and i&p"ied that the &edia had success'u""y been designated a &#st"y c#ntr#""ab"e r#"e by the &i"itary, hich #u"d n# d#ubt i&pr#)e in the 'uture! 9#r &#re ab#ut the issues #' e&bedded 0#urna"is& during the 4raD in)asi#n, )ari#us pr#paganda techniDues e&p"#yed, and &#re, see this eb site,s 4raD &edia secti#n!

"ilemma of )ournalists and Wartime &overage

+ith &i"itary c#n'"icts then, rep#rting raises an interesting di"e&&a '#r s#&eA #ne the #ne hand, the

&i"itary ish t# present )ari#us aspects that #u"d supp#rt a ca&paign, hi"e #n the #ther hand, a 0#urna"ist is supp#sed t# be critica" and n#t necessari"y 'a"" in "ine! The is captured e"" by 2ane Kirt"ey, a pr#'ess#r #' Media 1thics and La : Sh#rt"y a'ter the end #' the A&erican 3i)i" +ar, 0#urna"ist 9! 3#"burn Ada&s r#te, .The 'uture hist#rian #' the "ate ar i"" ha)e EaF )ery di''icu"t tas* t# per'#r& L si'ting the truth 'r#& 'a"seh##d as it appears in #''icia" rec#rds!/ Si&i"ar t# the #'t%repeated a(i#& that truth is the 'irst casua"ty #' ar, Ada&s, #bser)ati#n succinct"y su&&ariBes the nub #' the c#n'"ict bet een the &i"itary and the ne s &edia! The &i"itary,s &issi#n is t# 'ight, and t# in, hate)er c#n'"ict &ay present itse"'% pre'erab"y #n the batt"e'ie"d but certain"y in pub"ic #pini#n and the hist#ry b##*s! The 0#urna"ist, #n the #ther hand, is a s*eptic i' n#t a cynic and ai&s t# see*, 'ind and rep#rt the truth - a &issi#n b#th parties #'ten )ie as inc#&patib"e ith success'u" ar'are, hich depends #n secrecy and decepti#n as &uch as superi#r strategy, tactics, eap#nry and &anp# er! - Jane 8irtle%, 1nou h is 1nou h, Media Studies Journal, 6cto7er 1=, .//1 5'ten, especia""y hen c#)ering c#n'"icts, the &edia #rganiBati#ns are sub0ect t# )ari#us c#nstraints by g#)ern&ents, &i"itary, c#rp#rate pressure, ec#n#&ic interests, etc! S#&eti&es, h# e)er, the &edia are &#re than i""ing t# g# a"#ng ith hat c#u"d be described as se"'%cens#rship, as high"ighted )i)id"y in the '#""# ing: +e "i)e in a dirty and danger#us #r"d! There are s#&e things the genera" pub"ic d#es n#t need t# *n# ab#ut and sh#u"dn,t! 4 be"ie)e de&#cracy '"#urishes hen the g#)ern&ent can ta*e "egiti&ate steps t# *eep its secrets and hen the press can decide hether t# print hat it *n# s! - 8atharine 4raham, Washin ton Post o$ner spea"in at C!2?s Lan le%, )ir inia head5uarters in 19--, ;eported in ;e ardie?s Ma a<ine, Januar%, 199/, @uoted +rom 'a(id Mc4o$an, 'erailin 'emocrac%, 0Common Coura e Press, .///3, p.1/9. 5ther ti&es, the s#urces #' in'#r&ati#n are "i&ited! 9#r e(a&p"e, .4n'#r&ati#n ar'are/ #' a &i"itary #r g#)ern&ent &ight be targeted at .ene&y/ nati#ns and gr#ups, but #'ten a''ects their # n p#pu"ati#ns: 4n E&any casesF, the U!S! and #ther estern ne s &edia depend #n the &i"itary '#r in'#r&ati#nL! And hen the in'#r&ati#n that &i"itary #''icers pr#)ide t# the pub"ic is part #' a pr#cess that generates pr#paganda and p"aces a high )a"ue #n deceit, decepti#n and denia", then truth is indeed "i*e"y t# be high #n the casua"ty "ist! - William M. 2r"in, Media principles* 8illed 7% +riendl% +ire in US in+o$ar, !ndeA on Censorship, 1B :o(em7er .//. 2#urna"ist Iar#"d 1)ans addresses the issue #' ar c#rresp#ndents duties, as being the cha""enge #' patri#tis& )ersus pr#'essi#na"is&: The hist#ry #' ar'are suggests this is n#t a 'a"se antithesis! C#)ern&ents, understandab"y, put a pri#rity #n nurturing the &#ra"e #' the ar&ed '#rces and the pe#p"e, inti&idating an ene&y ith the '#rce #' the nati#na" i"" They ha)e 'e scrup"es ab#ut hether they are being 'air and 0ust as their pr#paganda de&#niBes an a"ien "eader #r e)en a h#"e p#pu"ati#n! The ene&y is d#ing the sa&e t# the&! That is the e&#ti#n ars generate, in)iting a c#&petiti)e ecstasy #' hate! There is a due" in )ici#us stere#types in pr#paganda

p#sters, i""ustrati#ns and head"inesA p#pu"ati#ns #u"d be ast#unded i' they c#u"d see h# they and their "eaders are p#rtrayed by the #ther side! Auth#rity resents it hen a ne spaper #r br#adcast shades the b"ac* and hite! L Atr#city st#ries ha)e been debased currency in the ar #' #rds! The #ther side,s are pr#paganda and sh#u"d be ign#red #r discredited by patri#tic c#rresp#ndentsA #urs are an integra" part #' the cause, and sh#u"d be pr#pagated ith c#n)icti#n, uniting pe#p"e in )enge'u"ness '#r a cause higher than pedantry! 5n"y a'ter the c#n'"ict, the Bea"#ts, argu&ent runs, is there ti&e en#ugh t# si't the ashes '#r truth! Iist#ry *n# s n# that the Cer&ans did n#t, as charged in +#r"d +ar 4, t#ss ?e"gian babies in the air and catch the& #n bay#nets, n#r b#i" d# n Cer&an c#rpses '#r g"ycerin '#r &uniti#ns-a st#ry in)ented by a ?ritish c#rresp#ndent being pressed by his #''ice '#r ne s #' atr#cities! The 9rench did n#t, as the Cer&an press rep#rted, r#utine"y g#uge #ut the eyes #' captured Cer&an s#"diers, #r ch#p #'' their 'ingers '#r the rings #n the&! 4raDi s#"diers in)ading Ku ait did n#t t#ss pre&ature babies #ut #' incubat#rs, as #he Sunda% #ele raph in L#nd#n, and then the Los 2n eles #imes, rep#rted, Du#ting <euters! The st#ry as an in)enti#n #' the 3itiBens '#r a 9ree Ku ait "#bby in +ashingt#n and the teen%age . itness/ h# testi'ied t# 3#ngress as c#ached by the "#bby,s pub"ic re"ati#ns c#&pany! 4t as #n"y t # years "ater that the h#"e thing as e(p#sed '#r the 'raud it as! ?ut the &yth ga")aniBed pub"ic #pini#n at a critica" &#&ent #n the need t# g# t# ar, as it as intended t#! L Iist#ry is a &aus#"eu& #' errant e&#ti#ns: +h# is the &#re patri#tic-the g#)ern&ent that c#ncea"s the b"unders its s#"diers endure, the crue"ties they &ay in'"ict, #r the c#rresp#ndent h# e(p#ses the& s# that they &ight be recti'ied8 L E4n the di"e&&as 0#urna"ists #'ten ha)e bet een rep#rting and inter)eningF, A"an 6# er, h# rep#rted the K#rean +ar '#r the Mel7ourne Herald L rep#rter <ene 3ut'#rth and ca&era&an 3yri" Page sa a c#"u&n #' #&en in Se#u" being &arched #'' t# 0ai"A &any ere carrying babies! The 0#urna"ists ere t#"d the 'a&i"ies ere a"" t# be sh#t because s#&e#ne in the street had identi'ied the& as c#&&unists! 6# er, h# as a c#&&and# be'#re he as a rep#rter, as carrying a carbine! Ie used it t# bu""y his ay int# the 0ai", here the tri# #' 0#urna"ists '#und that the #&en had been &ade t# *nee" ith their babies in 'r#nt #' an #pen pit, t # &achine guns at their bac*s! 6# er threatened t# sh##t the guard un"ess he t##* the tri# t# the pris#n g#)ern#r,s #''ice! There 6# er ai&ed his carbine at the g#)ern#r and threatened: .4' th#se &achine guns 'ire, 4,"" sh##t y#u bet een the eyes!/ 6# er, &a*ing an#ther threat, that #' pub"icity, secured a pr#&ise 'r#& the United ;ati#ns c#&&and in Se#u" that it #u"d sta&p #ut such practices! 6id 6# er brea* the n#r&a" "i&its #' 0#urna"is&8 @es, and he as right t# d# s#! 5ne,s 'irst duty is t# hu&anity, and there are e(cepti#na" #ccasi#ns hen that duty #)errides the can#ns #' any pr#'essi#n! - Harold 1(ans, Propa anda (s. Pro+essionalism, War Stories, :e$seum 0undated3 Phi""ip Knight"ey, in his a ard% inning b##* #he 9irst Casualt% traces a hist#ry #' &edia rep#rting #' ars and c#n'"icts and t# ards the end says: The sad truth is that in the ne &i""enniu&, g#)ern&ent pr#paganda prepares its citiBens '#r ar s# s*i""'u""y that it is Duite "i*e"y that they d# n#t ant the truth'u", #b0ecti)e and ba"anced rep#rting that g##d ar c#rresp#ndents #nce did their best t# pr#)ide!

- Phillip 8ni htle%, #he 9irst Casualt%, 0Prion Boo"s, 197=, ./// re(ised edition3 p.=.= ?ac* t# t#p

Wider Propaganda
a princip"e 'a&i"iar t# pr#pagandists is that the d#ctrine t# be insti""ed in the target audience sh#u"d n#t be articu"ated: that #u"d #n"y e(p#se the& t# re'"ecti#n, inDuiry, and, )ery "i*e"y, ridicu"e! The pr#per pr#cedure is t# dri"" the& h#&e by c#nstant"y presupp#sing the&, s# that they bec#&e the )ery c#nditi#n '#r disc#urse! - :oam Choms"% 4t is easier t# d#&inate s#&e#ne i' they are una are #' being d#&inated! 3#"#nised and c#"#nisers b#th *n# that d#&inati#n is n#t 0ust based #n physica" supre&acy! 3#ntr#" #' hearts and &inds '#""# s &i"itary c#nDuest! +hich is hy any e&pire that ants t# "ast &ust capture the s#u"s #' its sub0ects! - ! nacio ;amonet, #he control o+ pleasure, Le Monde diplomati5ue, Ma% ./// ?ut the issue #' pr#paganda can g# bey#nd 0ust ar, t# &any #ther areas #' "i'e such as the p#"itica", c#&&ercia" and s#cia" aspects: +hen there is "itt"e #r n# e"ite dissent 'r#& a g#)ern&ent p#"icy, there &ay sti"" be s#&e s"ippage in the &ass &edia, and the 'acts can tend t# under&ine the g#)ern&ent "ine! L +e ha)e "#ng argued that the .natura"ness/ #' EtheF pr#cesses E#' indirect"y pressing the &edia t# *eep e)en &#re tenaci#us"y t# the pr#paganda assu&pti#ns #' state p#"icyF, ith inc#n)enient 'acts a""# ed sparing"y and ithin the pr#per 'ra&e #r* #' assu&pti#ns, and 'unda&enta" dissent )irtua""y e(c"uded 'r#& the &ass &edia =but per&itted in a &argina"iBed press>, &a*es '#r a pr#paganda syste& that is 'ar &#re credib"e and e''ecti)e in putting #)er a patri#tic agenda than #ne ith #''icia" cens#rship! L 4t is &uch &#re di''icu"t t# see a pr#paganda syste& at #r* here the &edia are pri)ate and '#r&a" cens#rship is absent! This is especia""y true here the &edia acti)e"y c#&pete, peri#dica""y attach and e(p#se c#rp#rate and g#)ern&ent &a"'easance, and aggressi)e"y p#rtray the&se")es as sp#*es&en '#r 'ree speech and the genera" c#&&unity interest! +hat is n#t e)ident =and re&ains undiscussed in the &edia> is the limited nature #' such critiDues, as e"" as the huge ineDua"ity #' the c#&&and #' res#urces, and its e''ect b#th #n access t# a pri)ate &edia syste& and #n its beha)i#r and per'#r&ance! =1&phasis Added> - 1d$ard S. Herman and :oam Choms"%, Manu+acturin ConsentC #he Political 1conom% o+ the Mass Media, 0Pantheon Boo"s, :e$ Dor", 19--3, pp. Ai(, 1E.. The use #' #rds is integra" t# pr#paganda techniDues! 6r! Aar#n 6e" iche, at the Sch##" #' 3#&&unicati#ns at the Uni)ersity #' +ashingt#n, pr#)ides a eb site discussing pr#paganda! 6e" iche rec#unts h# in 1H3$, in the United States, the 4nstitute '#r Pr#paganda Ana"ysis as created t# educate the A&erican pub"ic ab#ut the idespread nature #' p#"itica" pr#paganda! Made up #' 0#urna"ists and s#cia" scientists, the institute pub"ished nu&er#us #r*s! 5ne #' the &ain the&es behind their #r* as de'ining se)en basic pr#paganda de)ices! +hi"e there as appr#priate criticis&

#' the si&p"i'icati#n in such c"assi'icati#ns, these are c#&&#n"y described in &any uni)ersity "ectures #n pr#paganda ana"ysis, as 6e" iche a"s# p#ints #ut! 6e" ische 'urther c"assi'ies these =and adds a c#up"e #' additi#na" c"assi'icati#ns> int# the '#""# ing: +#rd Ca&es ;a&e%ca""ing Labe"ing pe#p"e, gr#ups, instituti#ns, etc in a negati)e &anner C"ittering genera"ity Labe"ing pe#p"e, gr#ups, instituti#ns, etc in a p#siti)e &anner 1uphe&is&s +#rds that paci'y the audience ith b"ander &eanings and c#nn#tati#ns 9a"se 3#nnecti#ns Trans'er Using sy&b#"s and i&agery #' p#siti)e instituti#ns etc t# strengthen acceptance Testi&#nia" 3iting indi)idua"s n#t Dua"i'ied t# &a*e the c"ai&s &ade Specia" Appea" P"ain 9#"*s Leaders appea"ing t# #rdinary citiBens by d#ing .#rdinary/ things ?and +ag#n The .e)ery#ne e"se is d#ing it/ argu&ent 9ear Ieightening, e(p"#iting #r ar#using pe#p"e,s 'ears t# get supp#rti)e #pini#ns and acti#ns =See the pre)i#us "in* '#r descripti#ns #' these de)ices!> A )i)id e(a&p"e #' such use #' #rds is a"s# seen in the '#""# ing Du#te: Since ar is particu"ar"y unp"easant, &i"itary disc#urse is 'u"" #' euphe&is&s! 4n the 1H70,s, A&erica changed the na&e #' the +ar 6epart&ent t# the 6epart&ent #' 6e'ense! Under the <eagan Ad&inistrati#n, the MN%Missi"e as rena&ed .The Peace*eeper!/ 6uring ar% ti&e, ci)i"ian casua"ties are re'erred t# as .c#""atera" da&age,/ and the #rd ."iDuidati#n/ is used as a syn#ny& '#r .&urder!/ - 'r. 2aron 'el$iche, Propa anda 2nal%sis, Propa anda Critic We7 site, School o+ Communications, Washin ton Uni(ersit%, March 1., 199= P#"itica" Scientist and auth#r, Michae" Parenti, in an artic"e #n &edia &#n#p#"y, a"s# describes a pattern #' rep#rting in the &ainstrea& in the U!S! that "eads t# partia" in'#r&ati#n! Ie p#ints #ut that hi"e the &ainstrea& c"ai& t# be 'ree, #pen and #b0ecti)e, the )ari#us techniDues, intenti#na" #r unintenti#na" resu"t in s%stematic c#ntradicti#ns t# th#se c"ai&s! Such techniDues - app"icab"e t# #ther nati#ns, &edia, as e"" as the U!S! - inc"ude:

 Suppression .$ (mission, Attac/ and "estro$ the *arget, 0a'eling, Preemptive Assumption, %ace-1alue *ransmission, Slighting of &ontent, %alse .alancing, %ollow-up Avoidance, %raming,
9urther&#re, ith c#ncentrated # nership increasing =as is discussed in detai" in the ne(t secti#n #n this site> a narr# er range #' disc#urse can arise, s#&eti&es ith#ut rea"iBing! The c#nseDuences #' hich are su&&ed up by the '#""# ing 'r#& UK &edia atchd#g, MediaLens: 9#cusing #n "eaders, th#ughts is #'ten a *ind #' pr#paganda! 4t in)#")es repeating the g#)ern&ent "ine ith#ut c#&&ent, thereby a""# ing 0#urna"ists t# c"ai& neutra"ity as si&p"e c#nduits supp"ying in'#r&ati#n! ?ut it is n#t neutra" t# repeat the g#)ern&ent "ine hi"e ign#ring critics #' that "ine, as #'ten happens! 4t is a"s# n#t neutra" t# inc"ude &i"der criticis& si&p"y because it is )#iced by a di''erent secti#n #' the estab"ish&ent, hi"e ign#ring &#re radica", but perhaps eDua""y rati#na", critiDues 'r#& bey#nd the state% c#rp#rate pa"e! A big "ess#n #' hist#ry is that it is r#ng t# assu&e that p# er, #r .respectabi"ity/, c#n'ers rati#na"ity! Media ana"yst Shar#n ?eder describes the rea"ity #' &uch &ainstrea& rep#rting: .?a"ance &eans ensuring that state&ents by th#se cha""enging the estab"ish&ent are ba"anced ith state&ents by th#se h#& they are criticising, th#ugh n#t necessari"y the #ther ay r#und!/ Ta"* #' "eaders, .h#pes/ teaches us t# e&pathise ith their ishes by pers#na"ising issues: .?"air desperate"y h#pes t# bui"d bridges in the Midd"e 1ast!/ This is a"s# a *ind #' pr#paganda based #n 'a"se assu&pti#ns! 4t assu&es that the rea"ity #' p#"iticians, .h#pes/ - their intenti#ns, &#ti)ati#ns and g#a"s - is identica" t# the appearance! Machia)e""i as *ind en#ugh t# e(p"ain hat e)ery p#"itician *n# s, and hat a"&#st a"" c#rp#rate &edia 0#urna"ists 'eign n#t t# *n# : .4t is n#t essentia", then, that a Prince sh#u"d ha)e a"" the g##d Dua"ities hich 4 ha)e enu&erated ab#)e E&ercy, g##d 'aith, integrity, hu&anity, and re"igi#nF but it is &#st

essentia" that he sh#u"d seem t# ha)e the&A 4 i"" e)en )enture t# a''ir& that i' he has and in)ariab"y practises the& a"", they are hurt'u"!/ - 'a(id 1d$ards, #urnin #o$ards !ra5, Media Lens, :o(em7er .7, .//1 01mphasis is ori inal3 As &enti#ned ab#)e 0ust c#ncentrating and rep#rting #n the .#''icia" "ine/ ith#ut #''ering a ider set #' perspecti)es can a"s# i&pact pe#p"e,s #pini#ns! 4n an#ther artic"e, MediaLens a"s# high"ights this and the i&pact it has #n h# g"#ba" issues are percei)ed: 5ne #' the secrets #' &edia &anipu"ati#n is t# rep#rt the h#rr#r and stri'e #' the #r"d as th#ugh +estern p# er, interests and &achinati#ns did n#t e(ist! Mast p#)erty, in0ustice and cha#s in the Third +#r"d are depicted as unc#nnected t# the c##" #ases #' ci)i"isati#n in 1ur#pe and the United States, hich "##* #n benign"y but he"p"ess"y, #r pitch in her#ica""y t# right r#ngs as 'ar as they are ab"e! The idea, '#r e(a&p"e, that the )ast ec#n#&ic and &i"itary &ight #' ;#rth A&erica &ight in s#&e ay be "in*ed t# the )ast p#)erty and su''ering #' neighb#uring 3entra" and S#uth A&erica is unthin*ab"e! An i&p#rtant 'eature #' the rep#rting that &aintains this audaci#us decepti#n-n#t c#nsci#us"y but thr#ugh an interna"ised sense #' hat is .0ust n#t d#ne/ - is t# re"ay #ur ene&ies, .c"ai&s/ #' benign &#ti)es as c"ai&s, hi"e rep#rting #ur g#)ern&ents, c"ai&s ith#ut c#&&ent, #r as #b)i#us"y true - the &essage, tire"ess"y repeated, gets thr#ugh t# the pub"ic and an i&p#rtant pr#paganda 'uncti#n is thereby 'u"'i""ed! This is ca""ed .h#nest, 'actua" rep#rting/! - 'a(id 1d$ards, Bur%in Bi Business, Media Lens, Ma% .., .//. 01mphasis is ori inal3 9urther&#re =and hi"e n#t a c#&p"ete study #' the &ainstrea& &edia>, &edia atchd#g, 9airness and Accuracy 4n <ep#rting =9A4<> did a study sh# ing that there can be hea)y p#"itica" biases #n e)en the &#st p#pu"ar &ainstrea& &edia #ut"ets! The #ut"ets they "##*ed at ere A?3 +#r"d ;e s T#night, 3?S 1)ening ;e s and ;?3 ;ight"y ;e s in the year 2001! They '#und that .H2 percent #' a"" U!S! s#urces inter)ie ed ere hite, G5 percent ere &a"e and, here party a''i"iati#n as identi'iab"e, $5 percent ere <epub"ican!/ ?ac* t# t#p

Propaganda in "emocracies
Pr#paganda in t#ta"itarian regi&es is easy t# rec#gniBe '#r its b"atant and crude &eth#ds! 4n de&#cratic s#cieties, pr#paganda e(ists, as &#st #' the ab#)e attests t#! ?ut, it is harder t# see! As a result, it is important to /eep such elements of propaganda in mind when we see coverage of conflicts or even other issues in the media, regardless of the media organi#ation and their apparent reputation2 4n &any de&#cracies, pe#p"e h#"d dear the 'reed#& #' speech that they are supp#sed t# ha)e! @et, .pr#paganda is t# de&#cracy hat )i#"ence is t# t#ta"itarianis&,/ n#tes ;#a& 3h#&s*y! Pub"ic acc#untabi"ity #' &a0#r instituti#ns and #' the g#)ern&ent &ust be c#nstant"y &aintained t# a)#id pr#paganda! 4n 1H21, the 'a&#us A&erican 0#urna"ist +a"ter Lipp&ann said that the art #' de&#cracy reDuires hat he ca""ed the .&anu'acture #' c#nsent!/ This phrase is an 5r e""ian euphe&is& '#r th#ught c#ntr#"! The idea is that in a state such as the U!S! here the

g#)ern&ent can,t c#ntr#" the pe#p"e by '#rce, it had better c#ntr#" hat they thin*! The S#)iet Uni#n is at the #pp#site end #' the spectru& 'r#& us in its d#&estic 'reed#&s! 4t,s essentia""y a c#untry run by the b"udge#n! 4t,s )ery easy t# deter&ine hat pr#paganda is in the USS<: hat the state pr#duces is pr#paganda! L Pr#paganda is t# de&#cracy hat )i#"ence is t# t#ta"itarianis&! L 9#r th#se h# stubb#rn"y see* 'reed#& ar#und the #r"d, there can be n# &#re urgent tas* than t# c#&e t# understand the &echanis&s and practices #' ind#ctrinati#n! These are easy t# percei)e in the t#ta"itarian s#cieties, &uch "ess s# in the pr#paganda syste& t# hich e are sub0ected and in hich a"" t## #'ten e ser)e as un i""ing #r un itting instru&ents! - :oam Choms"%, Propa anda, 2mericanFst%le, !nter(ie$ conducted 7% 'a(id Barsamian o+ 84:UF ;adio in Boulder, Colorado 0Mid 19-&3 P# er &ust be he"d acc#untab"e! The &ainstrea& &edia is a pi""ar #' a 'uncti#ning de&#cracy, and #ne #' its r#"es there'#re, is t# h#"d p# er acc#untab"e! +hat 0#urna"is& is rea""y ab#ut-it,s t# &#nit#r p# er and the centres #' p# er! - 2mira Hass, 5uoted 7% ;o7ert 9is", 2mira Hass* Li+e under !sraeli occupationE7% an !sraeli, #he !ndependent, 2u ust .&, .//1 ?ac* t# t#p

Wh$ "oes So Much Propaganda Wor/3

Pr#paganda see&s t# #r* because #' a nu&ber #' reas#ns, inc"uding: Pe#p"e ish t# be"ie)e the best ab#ut the&se")es and their c#untryA 9ear%&#ngering, especia""y ab#ut the threat t# cherished )a"ues such as 'reed#& and 0usticeA Presenting 'ears and c"ai&s that appear "#gica" and 'actua"! Media &anage&ent and pub"ic re"ati#ns is )ery pr#'essi#na" Managing th#ughts by narr# ing ranges #' debate, thus &ini&iBing ide"y discussed th#ughts that de)iate 'r#& the &ain agendasA

Wanting to 'elieve the 'est of ourselves

4n de&#cracies, pe#p"e "i*e t# be"ie)e that they and their c#untries are genera""y g##d, '#r i' it as any #ther ay then it brings int# &#ra" Duesti#n a"" they *n# and h#"d dear! The hist#ries #' s#&e nati#ns &ay ha)e in)#")ed #)erc#&ing ad)ersaries '#r "egiti&ate reas#ns =e!g! the A&erican ar t# gain its independence and 'reed#& 'r#& the ?ritish 1&pire as #ne based #n str#ng &#ra" gr#unds #' 'reed#& 'r#& i&peria" ru"e>! Such i&p#rtant hist#ry is #'ten rec#unted and re&e&bered as part #' the c#""ecti)e cu"ture #' the c#untry and th#se sa&e )a"ues are pr#0ected int# &#dern ti&es! Pr#paganda s#&eti&es #r*s by creating the 'ear #' "#sing such cherished )a"ues! The '#""# ing perhaps ser)e as #&in#us arnings, gi)en the s#urce: A"" pr#paganda &ust be s# p#pu"ar and #n such an inte""ectua" "e)e", that e)en the &#st stupid #' th#se t# ards h#& it is directed i"" understand itL! Thr#ugh c"e)er and

c#nstant app"icati#n #' pr#paganda, pe#p"e can be &ade t# see paradise as he"", and a"s# the #ther ay ar#und, t# c#nsider the &#st retched s#rt #' "i'e as paradise! - 2dol+ Hitler The siBe #' the "ie is a de'inite 'act#r in causing it t# be be"ie)ed, '#r the )ast &asses #' a nati#n are in the depths #' their hearts &#re easi"y decei)ed than they are c#nsci#us"y bad! The pri&iti)e si&p"icity #' their &inds renders the& a &#re easy prey t# a big "ie than t# a s&a"" "ie! 9#r they the&se")es #'ten te"" "itt"e "ies, but #u"d be asha&ed t# te"" big "ies! - 2dol+ Hitler

%ear-mongering and distorting facts

CuiterreB, &enti#ned &uch 'urther ab#)e, a"s# inter)ie s 6r! ;ancy Sn# , =#nce a .pr#pagandist/ '#r the U!S! 4n'#r&ati#n Agency as she ad&its in her 1HHG b##*, Propa anda !ncC Sellin 2merica?s Culture to the World>! Sn# suggests that y#u d#n,t need 'acts, 0ust the best 'acts: ECi)en a"" the re)e"ati#ns discrediting ?ush,s reas#ns '#r ar ith 4raD,F .@#u &ay #nder hy it is that a &a0#rity #' A&ericans sti"" "in* Sadda& t# H/11,/ says Sn# ! .The reas#n '#r such a be"ie' is because the A&erican pe#p"e ere repeated"y t#"d by the President and his inner circ"e that Sadda&,s e)i" a"#ne as en#ugh t# be "in*ed t# H/11 and that gi)en ti&e, he #u"d ha)e used his eap#ns against us! +ith pr#paganda, y#u d#n,t need 'acts per se, 0ust the best 'acts put '#r ard! 4' these 'acts &a*e sense t# pe#p"e, then they d#n,t need pr##' "i*e #ne &ight need in a c#urtr##&!/ Acc#rding t# Sn# , the U!S! g#)ern&ent succeeded in .dri)ing the agenda/ and .&i"*ing the st#ry/ =&a(i&ising &edia c#)erage #' a particu"ar issue by the care'u" use #' E&edia &anage&entF!> .That,s a"s# )ery c#&&#n"y practice,/ she says! .+hen a c#untry g#es #'' t# ar, s# g#es its &edia ith it! The ne s &edia ere caught up in the ra""y r#und the '"ag syndr#&e! They ere '#rced t# ch##se a side, and gi)en the ch#ices, h#se side did they "#gica""y ch##se but the U!S!8/ - Mirren 4uiterre<, #he GPropF2 endaG at War, !nter Press Ser(ice, June .7, .//> 9urther&#re, s#&e pr#paganda that &ay be e''ecti)e t# nati#na" audiences i"" n#t #r* #n '#reign audiences: +hi"e the U!S! g#)ern&ent ca&paign E'#r ar #n 4raDF had an i&pact #n the U!S! pub"ic, the .percepti#n &anage&ent/ as a 'ai"ure at in'"uencing '#reign audiences! Acc#rding t# EPr#'ess#r <anda"" ?yt er*, a specia"ist in pr#pagandaF .it is 'ar easier t# &a*e pr#paganda at h#&e than abr#ad! 5ne has &#re credibi"ity at h#&e, and &uch &#re in c#&&#n ith the audience! A"th#ugh ;aBi pr#paganda as n#t c#&p"ete"y be"ie)ed by Cer&ans, they be"ie)ed hat their g#)ern&ent said 'ar &#re than the ?ritish be"ie)ed Cer&an pr#paganda, '#r e(a&p"e! A"" things being eDua", &#st pe#p"e ant t# be"ie)e they "i)e in a g##d c#untry!/ - Mirren 4uiterre<, #he GPropF2 endaG at War, !nter Press Ser(ice, June .7, .//>

4t sh#u"d be n#ted that in the U!K!, the #ther &a0#r c#untry t# supp#rt ar #n 4raD, the p#pu"ati#n as "ess easi"y c#n)inced ab#ut the )ari#us c"ai&s 0usti'ied '#r ar! 5ne reas#n, =re)ea"ed by an insight int# h# the U!S! supp#rted an 4raDi e(i"e ith a g"#ba" &edia &anage&ent ca&paign and e(tensi)e pub"ic re"ati#ns acti)ities> n#ted that the c"i&ate in the U!S! a'ter Septe&ber 11, 2001 as #ne #' 'ear! ?y using the 'ear #' &#re terr#rist attac*s against the U!S!, the ?ush Ad&inistrati#n as targeting its ca&paign t# ards its h#&e audience! The ?ritish pub"ic, hi"e 'ee"ing deep sy&pathy t# ards the A&ericans '#r their su''ering, had n#t su''ered such a h#rri'ic attac* s# recent"y, and, c#&bined ith #ther 'act#rs =e!g! a &#re di)erse &ainstrea& &edia>, did n#t ha)e the sa&e attitude t# ards g#)ern&ent c"ai&s as the A&erican pub"ic did! ;atura""y the c#&&#n pe#p"e d#n,t ant ar: ;either in <ussia, n#r in 1ng"and, n#r '#r that &atter in Cer&any! That is underst##d! ?ut, a'ter a"", it is the "eaders #' the c#untry h# deter&ine the p#"icy and it is a" ays a si&p"e &atter t# drag the pe#p"e a"#ng, hether it is a de&#cracy, #r a 'ascist dictat#rship, #r a par"ia&ent, #r a c#&&unist dictat#rship! L M#ice #r n# )#ice, the pe#p"e can a" ays be br#ught t# the bidding #' the "eaders! That is easy! A"" y#u ha)e t# d# is te"" the& they are being attac*ed, and den#unce the peace&a*ers '#r "ac* #' patri#tis& and e(p#sing the c#untry t# danger! 4t #r*s the sa&e in any c#untry! - 4eneral Herman 4oerin , President o+ 4erman ;eichsta and :a<i Part%, Commander o+ Lu+t$a++e durin World War !!, 2pril 1-, 19>&. 0#his 5uote is said to ha(e 7een made durin the :urem7ur #rials, 7ut in +act, $hile durin the time o+ the trials, $as made in pri(ate to an 2llied intelli ence o++icer, later pu7lished in the 7oo", :urem7ur 'iar%.3

Media management and pu'lic relations is ver$ professional

The i&pacts #' pub"ic re"ati#ns cann#t be underesti&ated! 4n the c#&&ercia" #r"d, &ar*eting and ad)ertising are typica""y needed t# &a*e pe#p"e a are #' pr#ducts! There are &any issues in that area a"#ne = hich is "##*ed at in this site,s secti#n #n c#rp#rate &edia!> +hen it c#&es t# pr#paganda '#r purp#ses #' ar, '#r e(a&p"e, pr#'essi#na" pub"ic re"ati#ns 'ir&s can #'ten be in)#")ed t# he"p se"" a ar! 4n cases here a ar is Duesti#nab"e, the P< 'ir&s are indirect"y c#ntributing t# the e)entua" and there'#re una)#idab"e casua"ties! Media &anage&ent &ay a"s# be used t# pr#&#te certain p#"itica" p#"icies and ide#"#gies! +here this is pr#b"e&atic '#r the citiBenry is hen &edia rep#rts #n )ari#us issues d# n#t attribute their s#urces pr#per"y! S#&e techniDues used by g#)ern&ents and parties/pe#p"e ith hidden agendas inc"ude: Paying 0#urna"ists t# pr#&#te certain issues ith#ut the 0#urna"ist ac*n# "edging this, #r ith#ut the &edia &enti#ning the s#urcesA C#)ern&ents and indi)idua"s c#ntracting P< 'ir&s t# se"" a ar, #r #ther i&p#rtant issues 6isin'#r&ati#n #r partia" in'#r&ati#n rep#rted as ne s #r 'act ith#ut attributing s#urces that &ight be Duesti#nab"e P< 'ir&s 'eeding st#ries t# the press ith#ut re)ea"ing the nature #' the in'#r&ati#n ith the intenti#n #' creating a pub"ic #pini#n ='#r e(a&p"e, t# supp#rt a ar, as the pre)i#us "in* high"ights here e)en hu&an rights gr#ups 'e"" '#r s#&e #' the disin'#r&ati#n, thus creating an e)en &#re e''ecti)e pr#paganda ca&paign> The Cu"' +ar in 4raD, 1HH1, high"ighted a "#t #' P< #r* in acti#n! 9#under #' the +ashingt#n P< 'ir&, The <end#n Cr#up, 2#hn <end#n t#"d cadets at the U!S! Air 9#rce Acade&y in 1HH:: .4 a& n#t a nati#na" security strategist #r a &i"itary tactician,/ <end#n said! .4 a& a p#"itician, and a pers#n h# uses c#&&unicati#n t# &eet pub"ic p#"icy #r c#rp#rate p#"icy

#b0ecti)es! 4n 'act, 4 a& an in'#r&ati#n arri#r and a percepti#n &anager!/ Ie re&inded the Air 9#rce cadets that hen )ict#ri#us tr##ps r#""ed int# Ku ait 3ity at the end #' the 'irst ar in the Persian Cu"', they ere greeted by hundreds #' Ku aitis a)ing s&a"" A&erican '"ags! The scene, '"ashed ar#und the #r"d #n te"e)isi#n screens, sent the &essage that U!S! Marines ere being e"c#&ed in Ku ait as "iberating her#es! .6id y#u e)er st#p t# #nder,/ <end#n as*ed, .h# the pe#p"e #' Ku ait 3ity, a'ter being he"d h#stage '#r se)en "#ng and pain'u" &#nths, ere ab"e t# get hand%he"d A&erican, and '#r that &atter, the '"ags #' #ther c#a"iti#n c#untries8/ Ie paused '#r e''ect! .+e"", y#u n# *n# the ans er! That as #ne #' &y 0#bs then!/ L Pub"ic re"ati#ns 'ir&s #'ten d# their #r* behind the scenesL!?ut his descripti#n #' hi&se"' as a .percepti#n &anager/ ech#es the "anguage #' Pentag#n p"anners, h# de'ine .percepti#n &anage&ent/ as .acti#ns t# c#n)ey and =#r> deny se"ected in'#r&ati#n and indicat#rs t# '#reign audiences t# in'"uence their e&#ti#ns, &#ti)es, and #b0ecti)e reas#ning! L 4n )ari#us ays, percepti#n &anage&ent c#&bines truth pr#0ecti#n, #perati#ns security, c#)er, and decepti#n, and psy#ps Epsych#"#gica" #perati#nsF!/ - Sheldon ;ampton and John Stau7er, Ho$ #o Sell a War, !n #hese #imes, > 2u ust, .//B Such technica" phrases "i*e .truth pr#0ecti#n/ hide their true &eanings and intent: pr#paganda! 5ne can understand h# these ha)e been tactics #' ar! 3hurchi"" used such a techniDue t# '##" the ;aBis regarding the ;#r&andy "andings, '#r e(a&p"e! @et, in the 4raD e(a&p"e, P< is turned #nt# #ne,s # n citiBens t# c#n)ince the& t# supp#rt a ar #r &a*e it "##* &#re g"#ri#us and right, than c#u"d #ther ise ha)e been!

"isseminating prepac/aged, even fa/e news

4n March 2005, the :e$ Dor" #imes re)ea"ed that there has been a "arge a&#unt #' 'a*e and prepac*aged ne s created by US g#)ern&ent depart&ents, such as the Pentag#n, the State 6epart&ent and #thers, and disse&inated thr#ugh the &ainstrea& &edia! The :e$ Dor" #imes n#ted a nu&ber #' i&p#rtant issues inc"uding: The US ?ush ad&inistrati#n has .aggressi)e"y/ used pub"ic re"ati#ns t# prepac*age ne s! 4ssues ith this ha)e inc"uded that: A nu&ber #' these g#)ern&ent%&ade ne s seg&ents are &ade t# "##* "i*e "#ca" ne s =either by the g#)ern&ent depart&ent #r by the recei)ing br#adcaster>A S#&eti&es these rep#rts ha)e fa/e reporters such as hen a .Jrep#rter, c#)ering airp#rt sa'ety as actua""y a pub"ic re"ati#ns pr#'essi#na" #r*ing under a 'a"se na&e '#r the Transp#rtati#n Security Ad&inistrati#n/A 5ther ti&es, there is n# &enti#n that a )ide# seg&ent is pr#duced by the g#)ern&entA +here there is s#&e attributi#n, ne s stati#ns si&p"y rebr#adcast the& but s#&eti&es ith#ut attributing the s#urce! These seg&ents ha)e reached &i""i#nsA This bene'its b#th the g#)ern&ent and the br#adcasterA This c#u"d a&#unt t# pr#paganda ithin the United States as e"" as internati#na""y! 1''ecti)e"y, A&erican ta( payers ha)e paid t# be sub0ected t# pr#paganda disse&inated thr#ugh these &assaged &essaged!

This issue is c#)ered in &#re depth #n this site,s &edia &anipu"ati#n secti#n!

Smear tactics are increasing in sophistication

S&ear tactics are #'ten used t# discredit, stain #r destr#y the reputati#n #' s#&e#ne! 4t is un'#rtunate"y c#&&#n%p"ace and is an age%#"d techniDue! 4t can either in)#")e #utright "ies, #r a dist#rti#n #' the truth! +ith the increasing p#pu"arity #' the 4nternet, and search engines such as C##g"e, s&earing is ta*ing #n additi#na" '#r&s and techniDues! 2uan 3#"e, a pr#'ess#r #' hist#ry has described hat he has c#ined a .C##g"eS&ear/ as a p#"itica" tactic t# discredit hi&! Iis pers#na" e(perience is Du#ted here: 4t see&s t# &e that 6a)id I#r# itB and s#&e 'ar right ing 'riends #' his ha)e hit up#n a ne ay #' discrediting a p#"itica" #pp#nent, hich is the C##g"eS&ear! 4t is an easy &aneu)er '#r s#&e#ne "i*e I#r# itB, h# has e(tre&e"y ea"thy bac*ers, t# set up a eb &agaBine that has a high pr#'i"e and is inde(ed in g##g"e ne s! Then he 0ust c#&&issi#ns pers#ns t# rite up "ies ab#ut pe#p"e "i*e &e ="ea)ened ith innuend# and #ut%#'%c#nte(t Du#tes>! Any#ne g##g"ing &e i"" "i*e"y c#&e up#n the s&ear pr#'i"es, and they can be passed ar#und t# 0#urna"ists and p#"iticians as th#ugh they ere actua" in'#r&ati#n! - Juan Cole, #he 4oo leSmear as Political #actic, !n+ormed Comment Blo , March .7, .//=

Narrowing the Range of "e'ate

The s&art ay t# *eep pe#p"e passi)e and #bedient is t# strict"y "i&it the spectru& #' acceptab"e #pini#n, but a""# )ery "i)e"y debate ithin that spectru&-e)en enc#urage the &#re critica" and dissident )ie s! That gi)es pe#p"e the sense that there,s 'ree thin*ing g#ing #n, hi"e a"" the ti&e the presupp#siti#ns #' the syste& are being rein'#rced by the "i&its put #n the range #' the debate! - :oam Choms"%, #he Common 4ood, 6donian Press, 1994n ter&s #' narr# ing the range #' debate #r disc#urse, this is ab#ut discussing issues ithin a "i&ited range #' ideas and #pini#ns! +hi"e this gi)es the appearance #' debate and discussi#n, #'ten deeper and ider issues are n#t discussed, thus "#sing i&p#rtant c#nte(t! This #'ten #ccurs un*n# ing"y, but is syste&ic in nature! ;#a& 3h#&s*y captures this )ery e"": Since the )#ice #' the pe#p"e is a""# ed t# spea* #ut Ein de&#cratic s#cietiesF, th#se in p# er better c#ntr#" hat that )#ice says - in #ther #rds, c#ntr#" hat pe#p"e thin*! 5ne #' the ays t# d# this is t# create p#"itica" debate that appears t# e&brace &any #pini#ns, but actua""y stays ithin )ery narr# &argins! @#u ha)e t# &a*e sure that b#th sides in the debate accept certain assu&pti#ns - and that th#se assu&pti#ns are the basis #' the pr#paganda syste&! As "#ng as e)ery#ne accepts the pr#paganda syste&, the debate is per&issib"e! 6uring the Mietna& +ar, the U!S! pr#paganda syste& did its 0#b partia""y but n#t entire"y! A&#ng educated pe#p"e it #r*ed )ery e""! Studies sh# that a&#ng the &#re educated parts #' the p#pu"ati#n, the g#)ern&ent,s pr#paganda ab#ut the ar is n# accepted unDuesti#ning"y! 5ne reas#n that pr#paganda #'ten #r*s better #n the educated than #n the uneducated is that educated pe#p"e read &#re, s# they recei)e &#re pr#paganda! An#ther is that they ha)e 0#bs in &anage&ent, &edia, and acade&ia and there'#re #r* in s#&e

capacity as agents #' the pr#paganda syste& - and they be"ie)e hat the syste& e(pects the& t# be"ie)e! ?y and "arge, they,re part #' the pri)i"eged e"ite, and share the interests and percepti#ns #' th#se in p# er! - :oam Choms"%, Propa anda, 2mericanFst%le, !nter(ie$ conducted 7% 'a(id Barsamian o+ 84:UF ;adio in Boulder, Colorado 0Mid 19-&3 At ti&es, this can be part #' a g#)ern&ent,s agenda, t# de'"ect #r direct a range #' disc#urse! The s#% ca""ed .per&itted para&eters #' debate/ #r .pr#p%agenda/ then gi)es the appearance #' c#nsensus and de&#cratic pr#cess! ?rian 1n# captures this aspect in ta"*ing ab#ut recent A&erican '#reign p#"icy acti#ns: 4n the +est the ca"cu"ated &anipu"ati#n #' pub"ic #pini#n t# ser)e p#"itica" and ide#"#gica" interests is &uch &#re c#)ert and there'#re &uch &#re e''ecti)e Ethan a pr#paganda syste& i&p#sed in a t#ta"itarian regi&eF! 4ts greatest triu&ph is that e genera""y d#n,t n#tice it #r "augh at the n#ti#n it e)en e(ists! +e atch the de&#cratic pr#cess ta*ing p"ace-heated debates in hich e 'ee" e c#u"d ha)e a )#ice - and thin* that, because e ha)e .'ree/ &edia, it #u"d be hard '#r the C#)ern&ent t# get a ay ith anything )ery de)i#us ith#ut s#&e#ne ca""ing the& #n it! Lthe ne A&erican appr#ach t# s#cia" c#ntr#" is s# &uch &#re s#phisticated and per)asi)e that it rea""y deser)es a ne na&e! 4t isn,t 0ust pr#paganda any &#re, it,s .pr#p% agenda!/ 4t,s n#t s# &uch the c#ntr#" #' hat e thin*, but the c#ntr#" #' hat e thin* ab#ut! +hen #ur g#)ern&ents ant t# se"" us a c#urse #' acti#n, they d# it by &a*ing sure it,s the #n"y thing #n the agenda, the #n"y thing e)ery#ne,s ta"*ing ab#ut! And they pre%"#ad the ensuing discussi#n ith high"y se"ected i&ages, de)i#us and pre0udicia" "anguage, dubi#us "in*ages, ea* #r 'a"se .inte""igence/ and se"ected ."ea*s/! =+hat e"se can the spat bet een the ??3 and A"astair 3a&pbe"" be but a pri&e e(a&p"e #' this8> +ith the gr#und thus prepared, g#)ern&ents are happy i' y#u then .use the de&#cratic pr#cess/ t# agree #r disagree - '#r, a'ter a"", their intenti#n is t# &#bi"ise en#ugh head"ines and c#n)ersati#n t# &a*e the h#"e thing see& rea" and urgent! The &#re e&#ti#na" the debate, the better! 1&#ti#n creates rea"ity, rea"ity de&ands acti#n! - Brian 1no, Lessons in ho$ to lie a7out !ra5, #he 67ser(erH4uardian, 2u ust 17, .//B A su&&ary 'r#& 1d ard Ier&an and ;#a& 3h#&s*y is a"s# #rth citing: 4t is &uch &#re di''icu"t t# see a pr#paganda syste& at #r* here the &edia are pri)ate and '#r&a" cens#rship is absent! This is especia""y true here the &edia acti)e"y c#&pete, peri#dica""y attac* and e(p#se c#rp#rate and g#)ern&ent &a"'easance, and aggressi)e"y p#rtray the&se")es as sp#*es&en '#r 'ree speech and the genera" c#&&unity interest! +hat is n#t e)ident =and re&ains undiscussed in the &edia> is the limited nature #' such critiDues, as e"" as the huge ineDua"ity #' the c#&&and #' res#urces, and its e''ect b#th #n access t# a pri)ate &edia syste& and #n its beha)i#r and per'#r&ance! =1&phasis Added> - 1d$ard S. Herman and :oam Choms"%, Manu+acturin ConsentC #he Political 1conom% o+ the Mass Media, 0Pantheon Boo"s, :e$ Dor", 19--3, pp. Ai(, 1E..