Propaganda Defined:

1
POL 307 Political Language and Communications
Propaganda Defined

• from
• the Latin to propagate
• the medieval Latin title Congregatio de
  propaganda fide (Sacred Congregation for
  Propagating the Faith, established 1622 by Pope
  Gregory XV)

From The Dictionary of Science (1842) applied
in modern political language as a term of
reproach to secret associations for the spread of
opinions and principles with are viewed by most
governments with horror and aversion.
2
Propaganda Defined
From The Oxford English Dictionary 2. Any
association, systematic scheme, or concerted
movement for the propagation of a particular
doctrine or practice.
..
3
Propaganda Defined
From Jowett ODonnell
the deliberate, systematic attempt to shape
perceptions, manipulate cognition, and direct
behavior to achieve a response that furthers the
desired intent of the propagandist. (p.6)
..

From Jowett ODonnell -- Synonyms

• mind control
• psychological warfare
• brainwashing
• palaver

• lies
• distortion
• deceit
• manipulation

7. to cajole or persuade Dictionary.com
4
Propaganda Spin
From Jowett ODonnell

• spin -- a coordinated strategy to minimize
  negative information and present in a favorable
  light a story that could be damaging.

..

negative favorable damaging TO WHOM?
P-O-V?
Downplaying My Bad!
5
Propaganda Spin
The Point of View Created by the Spinner
Reflects (One Way or another) the Interests of
the Spinner
S.W.E.I.N.?
So What Else Is New?
ERGO Propaganda is something more than spin.
6
Propaganda Defined
The purpose of propaganda is to promote a
partisan or competitive case in the best interest
of the propagandist but not necessarily in the
best interests of the recipient. (p.26 emphasis
added)
7
Propaganda vs. Persuasion

• interactive
• transactional
• desired behavior is offered influence and
  reasons
• voluntary knowing adoption by receiver
• fulfills the (perceived) needs of Receiver as
  well as Sender

8
Aspects of Propaganda
..

• deliberate
• systematic
• shape/manipulate perceptions/cognition
• direct behavior
• further the interests of the propagandist
• not necessarily the interests of the audience.