Gregorius Rentang Raia
Propaganda is a means of spreading information in the form of facts or arguments with the intent to manipulate the actions, beliefs ,or perceptions of people to influence the general opinions of a community. One of the more important uses of propaganda was during the two World Wars, where it was used to influence the outlook of the general populace to continue supporting the war effort. Even in today’s world, propaganda still has its place where its use can be seen in political events, typically to sway the public’s opinions towards a figure or occurrence to get public support. With information being easy to access now that seemingly anything can be found online, and with the spread of information being a simple process, it prompts the existence of digital propaganda.
Essentially, digital propaganda is what comes as a result of technological adaptation, by moving online to where the majority of people have access to, it allows for the information plastered onto the piece of propaganda to be easily viewed by more people. Digital propaganda is like any other form of propaganda, it serves to influence the general behavior of a community, as the name suggests, it exists digitally and can typically be found in television programs, articles, or anything of the sort. It’s possible that a greater number of people today are more susceptible to propaganda, notably digital forms of it, as computers, handphones, and televisions are widespread, making information more accessible.
Following the advancement and spread of computers, handphones, and televisions, digital propaganda exists in different forms. They can come in the form of television programs, written articles, artwork and in the far end of the spectrum, even memes, social media becomes an excellent platform that allows for the spread of digital propaganda to happen easily, this is especially true for artwork, written articles and memes. Propaganda, in general, uses different tactics to influence the reader, the aim of using these tactics is to create an emotional appeal towards the reader. Some of the more common uses for propaganda today would be linked to politics, where the piece of propaganda itself usually targets an event or political figure and tries to give either a positive or negative connotation towards the specific individual or event. Name-calling and glittering generalities: The fundamental premise for both uses specifically chosen words to describe the subject of focus in the propaganda piece, while name-calling uses words to link the target to a negative point, glittering generalities is the opposite where it associates the target with a positive point. Wording is vital in propaganda as the right choice of words can help dearly to the influence of the reader. However the use of partially correct facts or otherwise fear tactics are also important factors that play a role in how the propaganda piece may influence the reader.
The current view of propaganda varies. it has been argued whether or not the use of propaganda is good or bad, even though its purpose is to manipulate and influence the general thoughts of a community, propaganda can be used for good deeds as well. A government or an otherwise powerful group may use some form of propaganda to enforce beneficial or safety policies to keep the population in check. Propaganda could also be used to demonize, glorify, or misinform about a given event or individual, attempting to spark a response from the viewers of the piece. Regardless of whatever the nature of the propaganda is, it’s always important to be careful on the internet, never blindly believe anything that is posted online, and to always check before sharing.
Although propaganda is a means of displaying information or communicating with individuals, the use of propaganda varies. It could be to spread a message with good intentions, rally a community with a specific purpose in mind, or otherwise be used to target a specific event or individual. As computers, handphones and television are widespread today, digital propaganda becomes more prevalent and is essentially forms of propaganda that exists in digital forms such as television programs, online articles, artworks or memes that can be found in social media, typically with a political agenda and to create a public response towards what’s being said by the propaganda piece. It’s always important to always be wary of what’s broadcasted or posted online and to never blindly believe something seen online without good reason or research.
Bibliography
- Dempsey, Paul. “Propaganda: the Good, the Bad and the Ugly (Fake News).” RSS, 7 Nov. 2018, eandt.theiet.org/content/articles/2018/11/propaganda-the-good-the-bad-and-the-ugly-fake-news/.
- Hasic, Albinko. “Perspective | Why Propaganda Is More Dangerous in the Digital Age.” The Washington Post, WP Company, 12 Mar. 2019, www.washingtonpost.com/outlook/2019/03/12/why-propaganda-is-more-dangerous-digital-age/.
- Leetaru, Kalev. “Is Digital Age Propaganda Fundamentally Different From That Of Past Eras?” Forbes, Forbes Magazine, 7 May 2019, www.forbes.com/sites/kalevleetaru/2019/05/06/is-digital-age-propaganda-fundamentally-different-from-that-of-past-eras/#1c6797e1d50d.
-Smith, Bruce Lannes. “Propaganda.” Encyclopædia Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., 20 Mar. 2020, www.britannica.com/topic/propaganda.
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