Propaganda is manipulation of information using facts, arguments, rumours, half-truths, or lies to influence public opinion.
The term comes from “Congregation for the Propagation of the Faith”, a missionary organization of the Roman Catholic cardinals established in 1622. Propagandists emphasize the elements of information that support their position and deemphasize (reduce in importance) or exclude those that do not. Misleading statements and even lies may be used to create the desired effect in the public audience. Lobbying (any attempt by individuals or private interest groups to influence the decisions of government), advertising, and missionary activity are all forms of propaganda, but the term is most commonly used in the political arena. Authoritarian and totalitarian regimes use propaganda to win and keep the support of the people. In wartime, propaganda directed by a country at its own civilian population and military forces can raise morale; propaganda aimed at the enemy is an element of psychological warfare (such propaganda is generally intended to demoralize the enemy, to break his will to fight or resist, and sometimes to render him favourably disposed to one’s position).
Political propaganda- uses in part the same methods as in commercial advertising to reach its goals. Actually it, in most cases, is commercial advertising applied to the political arena. However, commercial advertisements seek mostly momentary effect, whereas political propaganda seeks the systematic enlightenment necessary to win supporters to a worldview.
In English, propaganda was originally a neutral term used to describe the dissemination of information in favour of any given cause.…
