With advances in technologically and social media, there is virtually no way to escape the ever-manipulative propaganda that so many people find themselves trapped in. From the news, television, and social media all the way to the way a college advertises itself, is some form of propaganda. Exploring the topic, it can be discovered that in this modern world, there is not much that isn’t propaganda. The purpose that propaganda fills is the following: activating strong emotions; responding to audience needs and values; simplifying information and ideas; and attacking opponents (Media Education Lab, 2015). Education Propaganda does not have to be a huge ordeal. It can, instead start out small. Even as a child, still new to the education system, one will experience propaganda. Looking back at my child, I can recognize the propaganda I was fed for what it truly is. Some of these lessons tainted in propaganda still bleed into curriculums today. For example, as a child, it is taught that Thanksgiving is a happy holiday full of rich history in which the pilgrims gave thanks. In my mind specifically, I always envisioned Native Americans to be siting at the table with pilgrims. This however was a scene painted to simplify ideas and information. Most history is recorded with bias for the nation writing it. This underlying propaganda of a superior, gentle, and kind nation tends to taint and distort views of the real history that occurred so many years ago. Government One of the easiest and most recognizable forms of propaganda is through government. With social media allowing the public to get an inside scoop on the thoughts and opinions of the President and others in positions of power, it is easy for these opinions to sway the ideas and beliefs of others. The 45th President of the United States, Donald J. Trump, often exhibits propaganda in many of his tweets. Not only that, but others will use his tweets to drive the conversation elsewhere by quoting his tweets. While President Trumps treat may aim to, “pander to our insecurities and anxieties,” (Media Education Lab, 2015) the activists and opinionated public that respond usually have the goal of “influencing the attitude of a population toward some cause or position” (Media Education Lab, 2015), the cause and position usually being anti-Trump. Similar to how Ryan Holiday strikes up media storms for attention and publicity, Trump tweets his honest opinions and thoughts. Advertising Advertising, when done properly, can be a really successful way to have propaganda. Granted there are two sides to advertising for propaganda. During World War II, The Nazi Party advertised the concentration camps as something every family would want for themselves. The party advertised videos of the camps to mask the true purpose of the camps. Here is an example of the propaganda as shown from the movie, The Boy in the Striped Pajamas. Currently, advertising has become a way of protest, as well. One of the most memorable advertisements I have seen is by “Moms Demand Action!” This group is comparing how guns are still allowed but very basic and rudimentary items are banned. An example of one of these advertisements is placed below. Entertainment Television shows and movies now usually have an undertone of propaganda to them. An excellent example of a film which exhibits its own form of propaganda is The Hunger Game franchise. These movies are, “intentionally-designed communication that invites us to respond emotionally, immediately, and in a either-or-manner” (Media Education Lab, 2015). The Hunger Games aims to have the audience sympathize and relate to the series main character, Katniss Everdeen. Since most audiences relate to the underdog of the story, this protagonist takes the audience on a journey where she goes through many physical and emotional hardships as she tries to save herself and the ones she loves while defeating the evil government in place. Often, movies and television have a way of drawing connections to the real world and the events that ensue. People are interested and can relate to corruption, fears, and anxieties, so the propaganda in these films manipulates the audiences to feel all that and more. Here is the trailer for the first film. News and Journalism While it seems easy enough for movies and television to have propaganda strung throughout at its core, news and journalism exudes a tremendous amount of propaganda whether it means to or not. While the candidates for the 2016 Presidential election were taking place, it was obvious that some news stations were using, “purposeful persuasion that attempt[ed] to influence the emotions, attitudes, opinions, and actions of specified target audiences for ideological, political, or commercial purposes through controlled transmission of one-sided messages (which may or may not be factual) via mass and direct media channels” (Media Education Lab, 2015). The news is continuously being dubbed by the public as untrustworthy. So often, more and more people are less inclined to watch the news for the fear of propaganda and falsehoods that may lie within it. As explored by Ryan Holiday, it is easier than one may think to influence the media and turn fake news into real news. Advocacy Although propaganda may seem as though it is only used for the negative ways people want to influence and manipulate others, propaganda can be used to help and advocate for others. Throughout history, there have been people who used propaganda for good, among them have been Ghandi, Martin Luther King Jr., Oprah Winfrey, and my favorite, Ellen DeGeneres. People in power often have many opportunities to use propaganda for good. Ellen is a prime example of someone who is, “trying to improve society or create social change” (Media Education Lab, 2015). Overview There are so many different types of propaganda as well as those who create and consume it. The best way to protect oneself from the dangers is to educate of how it can be used to manipulate but also how it can be used for good. If interested in learning how to do both, Ryan Holiday’s, Trust Me, I’m Lying would be a good start on how to protect from the bad and expand upon the good propaganda that circles the world. Works Cited “What is Propaganda?” Mind Over Media: Analyzing Contemporary Propaganda, Media Education Lab, 2015, propaganda.mediaeducationlab.com/learn/.
1 Comment
Connor F
9/25/2017 12:07:41 pm
I think Candice did a great job on her first LEAP post. The part that I found very interesting was her first section on propaganda in education. Being that Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday, I never considered that when we were children, we were taught that Thanksgiving was a great holiday for all involved. Yet, when you learn about Thanksgiving later in life, there are a lot of things that were purposely left out when learning as a child. This definitely shows how propaganda can be present in education.
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