History of News Media Propaganda - Essay Example

News Media Propaganda The use of propaganda started as early as 1900s. During that time, was used in accessing information regarding the war as well as providing false information to the enemies so as to defeat them quickly. Some of the renowned people such as Hitler employed propaganda extensively in pursuing their interests. For instance, it is the use of propaganda that enabled Hitler to manage the Nazi as well as to defeat his enemies. Propaganda has diverse impacts to the society and people. For instance, it is evident that the propaganda contributes to the creation of enmity between people as well as loss of innocent lives as in the case of Hitler in Germany. In most occasions, propaganda is aimed at hiding information regarding actions of the government or top people in the government. In connection with this, the paper aims at providing detailed information on how propaganda correlates with feeding the public with distorted information. In addressing this, the paper will expound on the negative reasons that contribute to the manipulation of the information as well as the positive use of propaganda in the current society. The citizens of the U.S. consider the attacks by the terrorists in their country as ordinary terrorists acts associated with ill intentions of those involved in the attack. It is as a result of this perception that they willingly pay the tax to support the U.S. Army in Iraq. Unfortunately, it is evident that the citizens of the U.S. do not know the real reasons as to why terrorists love attacking them now and again. The information fed to them by media is completely distorted. For instance, it is evident that the U.S. citizens believe that the U.S. army is in Iraq because of the war that the enemy had started (Nygaard, para.5, 2007). In connection with this, Nygaard claims that “the justification of war can proceed more smoothly if the hideous aspects of the war business are screened from the public gaze” ( Nygaard, para. 9, 2007). Desired propaganda is often achieved by controlling the flow of news (Nygaard, 2007). on most occasions, the control involves underemphasizing an item that may expose certain information by incorporating it into a different story or by leaving essential context of that item (Nygaard, 2007). According to (Nygaard, 2007) contradiction of a witness story also plays a very significant role in passing the intended information to the public. A good example of manipulated information by the U.S is what took place Taliban command center. The coalition of the U.S and Afghan security forces slay 25 suspected militants in an attack they had lounged via aid of airstrikes. From this assertion, it is evident that militants who were killed had not been proven guilty or innocent. In other words, they were executed carelessly by the coalition. The surprising thing however concerning this case is what was reported by media; according to media, “Nobody was killed by the coalition” (Nygaard, 2007). The killings in Iraq during the reign of Bush also expounds on the negative use of media in spreading propaganda. For instance, it is evident that the U.S gave figures of the militants who had died in Iraq without having an actual count of the dead bodies (Nygaard, 2007). The provision of an approximation of the number of people who have lost their lives in the U.S to the public through media bars them from knowing the exact menace created and fueled by the U.S army. People’s voices concerning leadership, as well as some happenings in the society, are often disregarded. Unfortunately, such disregards portray the role as well as the position of a citizen to one’s country. For instance, it shows that the public neither has say nor control of any happening in the country. This however is enhanced by new media propaganda. The information fed to the public is not only distorted, but also minimized. For instance, “the government of Margaret Thatcher used the 1981 Broadcasting Act to keep British television and radio stations from airing the voices of any person who was supporting the Irish Republican Army” (Kirtley, para.1, 2001). In connection with this, Russia’s Information Ministry warned news organizations from airing interviews with particular leaders with the claim of violation of the Russian anti-terrorism law (Kirtley, 2001). Almost the same thing happened in the U.S.; the National Security Adviser asked television networks to manipulate videotaped reports by Osama before presenting them to the public as well as the newspapers to withhold all the information regarding Osama’s statements (Kirtley, 2001). Such controls of information prevent the public from knowing the real truth, as well as the severity of issues befalling their country. Most of the information provided to the public is influenced by the government. In other words, the government filters information before it is presented to the public. For instance, it is evident that Tony Blair when he was the U.S Prime Minister ensured that all the information that was aired by prominent media stations such as the BBC was censored. In addition to this, the Congress also used to threaten media station with revocation of their licenses if they aired information that was not obliged by the government. Additionally, most government also controls the movement of media, and as a result, controls media’s access to information. For instance, the Federal Aviation Administration barred the news helicopters from operating in the largest U.S. cities in order to prevent the media from reporting the military operations in Afghanistan. From this assertion, one can deduce that the people are fed with biased or distorted information in order to satisfy the interest of the government. According to “Propaganda” (2009), media messages are designed to influence the listeners. The article also asserts that the propaganda is mostly associated with political movements. Political movements use one-sided information to indoctrinate people. In connection with this, it is evident that the use of propaganda rose extensively with the introduction of media devices such as radio and television that enhance propagandist campaigns. A good example of the use of media news propaganda is the case of German nasty against Austria. Before invading Austria in 1938, German used radio propaganda to gain support for its policies (Propaganda, 2009). Additionally, it is evident that German used radio in airing Winston Churchill’s propaganda in order to succeed in the war. In tandem with these assertions, it is clear that the BBC radio was a successful instrument of propaganda in German war. The use of radio was also very common in the U.S. This is evidenced by the fact that the U.S used Voice of America in not only airing the American views and policies, but also its successes to the rest of the world (Propaganda, 2009). Although most of news media propaganda is associated with distortion of information in order to meet the governments’ objectives, it is evident that some people in the society use propaganda in propagating positive activities in the community. For instance, “propaganda can offer marketers with insight into their profession’s beginnings in addition to strategies and tactics that may help increase their effectiveness” (Anderson, para. 1, 1999). Despite news media propaganda contributing to the loss of many lives as a result of giving distorted information, it is evident that news propaganda also spreads good ideas. News propaganda has made leaders realize the importance of the listeners, the public. This is evidenced by how the current leaders such as Obama use news media extensively in reaching their target as well as spreading propaganda concerning leadership and other related issues (Anderson, 1999). In conclusion, the use of propaganda started as early as 1900s. The use of propaganda enhances the success of many activities. For instance, it enables leaders get in touch with the public. However, the use of news media propaganda is associated with many wrongs than goods. Different governments manipulate information before it is presented by the media to the public. They do this in order to prevent the public from either knowing some vital information regarding their wrong actions or threats from the terrorists. It is as a result of news media propaganda that the public support the activities played by the government blindly. References Anderson, C. (1999). On propaganda and marketing. Brandweek, 40(3), 24-26. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/218074162?accountid=13758 Kirtley, J. (2001). News or propaganda? American Journalism Review, 23(10), 66. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/216860793?accountid=13758 Nygaard, J. (2007). Wartime propaganda. Counterpoise, 11(3), 9-12. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/228025365?accountid=13758 Propaganda. (2009). In Key concepts in radio studies. Retrieved from http://libproxy.sdsu.edu/login?url=http://search.credoreference.com.libproxy.sdsu.edu/co ntent/entry/sageukrs/propaganda/0 Read More