Legal Definitions - propaganda

Propaganda refers to the systematic spread of specific ideas, rumors, or carefully selected information designed to promote or damage a particular viewpoint, cause, or doctrine. It involves the intentional dissemination of messages to influence public opinion or behavior.

• Example 1: A political party launches a series of online advertisements and social media posts that consistently highlight only the positive economic statistics from their time in power, while omitting any negative data or criticisms. They also share carefully edited video clips of their leader speaking, focusing on inspiring soundbites. This is propaganda because it systematically disseminates selected information to promote a particular political party and its agenda, aiming to sway public opinion in their favor.

• Example 2: An international non-profit organization publishes a series of documentaries and articles detailing the severe environmental impact of a specific industry, using compelling visuals and expert testimonials. While the information presented is factual, it is curated to emphasize the negative aspects and build public pressure for stricter regulations on that industry. This illustrates propaganda as it involves the systematic dissemination of information to promote a particular cause (environmental protection) and influence public perception of an industry.

• Example 3: During a public health crisis, a government agency releases daily briefings and public service announcements that consistently emphasize the importance of a particular preventative measure, using optimistic language and success stories, while downplaying any potential side effects or alternative approaches. This is propaganda because it systematically disseminates selected information to promote a specific course of action (the preventative measure) and encourage widespread public adoption.

Defamatory Propaganda is a type of propaganda specifically used to create dissatisfaction among a nation's citizens and undermine the authority or legitimacy of their government.

• Example 1: During a period of high inflation, an opposition movement within a country circulates anonymous flyers and social media posts that exaggerate the personal wealth of government officials and falsely accuse them of siphoning public funds. The aim is to stir public anger and distrust, making citizens question the integrity and competence of their leaders. This is defamatory propaganda because it seeks to promote dissatisfaction and undermine government authority by spreading damaging, often untrue, information.

• Example 2: A foreign-backed news website targeting a specific country consistently publishes articles that highlight every perceived failure of that nation's government, often using inflammatory language and presenting isolated incidents as widespread systemic issues. The content is designed to make the population lose faith in their leadership and potentially call for a change in government. This demonstrates defamatory propaganda as it aims to foster widespread dissatisfaction and erode the government's authority among its own citizens.

Hostile Propaganda (also known as ideological aggression) is propaganda employed by one nation to manipulate the people of another nation, encouraging them to either support or oppose their own government.

• Example 1: Country A's state-run television and radio stations broadcast programs into neighboring Country B, encouraging citizens of Country B to protest against their government's recent alliance with Country C, an alliance that Country A views as a threat. The broadcasts highlight perceived negative consequences of the alliance for Country B's citizens. This is hostile propaganda because Country A is attempting to manipulate the people of Country B to oppose their own government's foreign policy decisions.

• Example 2: During a period of political tension, a powerful nation uses sophisticated online campaigns, including social media bots and fake news sites, to spread messages within a rival nation. These messages subtly encourage citizens to question their government's economic policies and leadership, suggesting that a change in power would be beneficial for their country. This exemplifies hostile propaganda as it involves one nation attempting to influence the internal political views and actions of another nation's population.

Subversive Propaganda is propaganda specifically designed to incite a civil war or revolution within a country.

• Example 1: An underground militant group distributes pamphlets and broadcasts encrypted messages calling for citizens to arm themselves and violently overthrow the existing government, providing instructions on how to organize local resistance cells. The messages detail alleged injustices and abuses by the ruling power, framing armed rebellion as the only path to freedom. This is subversive propaganda because its explicit goal is to incite a civil war or revolution.

• Example 2: A radical political movement publishes a series of online manifestos and videos that systematically demonize the current leadership, accuse them of tyranny, and urge the population to engage in widespread civil disobedience and armed uprising to dismantle the state and establish a new political system. This demonstrates subversive propaganda as it is calculated to provoke a violent internal conflict aimed at regime change.

War-Mongering Propaganda is propaganda specifically intended to generate national support for a war and to pressure the government to declare or join a war, often without regard for legal constraints or international law.

• Example 1: A nation's media outlets, heavily influenced by the government, repeatedly broadcast sensationalized and often exaggerated reports of alleged border incursions and hostile acts by a neighboring country. They use emotionally charged language to portray the neighbor as an aggressive threat, building public demand for military retaliation and a declaration of war. This is war-mongering propaganda because it aims to produce national support for a war and encourage the government to initiate conflict.

• Example 2: During a period of international dispute, a powerful political faction within a country launches a public campaign featuring patriotic rallies, advertisements, and news commentaries that glorify military strength and portray a potential adversary as weak, untrustworthy, and deserving of a preemptive strike. The campaign aims to galvanize public opinion and pressure the government into declaring war, even if international diplomatic solutions are still possible. This exemplifies war-mongering propaganda as it is calculated to create public enthusiasm for war and encourage government action towards conflict.