Legal Definitions - covert propaganda

Covert propaganda refers to media or communications that are created or sponsored by a government agency but are intentionally presented to the public as if they originated from an independent, non-governmental source. The defining characteristic is the deliberate concealment of the government's involvement, making the true origin of the message misleading.

This means that for something to be considered covert propaganda:

• It must be prepared by a government agency or by a private contractor working on behalf of a government agency.
• It must be disseminated or published through an outlet that appears to be independent of the government.
• The government's role in creating or sponsoring the material must be intentionally hidden from the audience. It's not just about accidental omission; there must be a clear intent to mislead about the source.

The purpose of covert propaganda is to influence public opinion or policy without the audience knowing that a government entity is behind the message. It does not include information released by government whistleblowers, nor does it apply to materials where the government agency clearly identifies itself as the source.

Here are some examples to illustrate this concept:

• Example 1: Social Media Influencer Campaign

  Imagine a government health department wants to encourage citizens to adopt a new, less sugary diet. Instead of launching a public awareness campaign under its own name, the department secretly contracts with a popular food blogger and social media influencer. The influencer then publishes a series of posts, recipes, and videos promoting the new dietary recommendations, presenting them as their own personal health philosophy and research, without ever disclosing that they are being paid by the government to do so. The audience believes they are receiving unbiased advice from an independent expert, when in fact, the message is government-sponsored.

• Example 2: Fictional News Article

  Consider a situation where a government agency is advocating for a controversial new energy policy. To build public support, the agency secretly drafts an article highlighting the policy's supposed economic benefits and environmental advantages. They then pay a small, struggling online news outlet to publish this article under the byline of one of the outlet's staff writers, making it appear to be an independent journalistic piece. The news outlet's readers are unaware that the article was ghostwritten and funded by the government agency, believing it to be objective reporting.

• Example 3: Community Advocacy Group

  Suppose a local government department wants to push for a new urban development plan that involves demolishing certain historic buildings. To counter potential public opposition, the department secretly provides funding and campaign materials to a newly formed "Citizens for Modern Progress" advocacy group. This group then organizes public meetings, distributes flyers, and runs local advertisements promoting the development plan, portraying itself as a grassroots movement of concerned citizens. The public is unaware that the group's activities and messages are orchestrated and funded by the very government department proposing the development.