PROPAGANDA

3/15/13 VOL. # ONE ISSUE #1

IT’S WAR TIME.

It’s war time and tensions are high as a U.S. military helicopter

flies through the dry air of a no-fly zone in Southern Iraq. Flanked by jet

fighters the helicopter continues its path across Iraq military ground

fighters, suddenly an explosion of hundreds of small paper leaflets scatter

the sky. As the aircrafts continue on their way the small messages gently

float down to the ground. A message, meant to reach the people and

undercut support for Iraq leader Saddam Hussein warns the Iraq military

to “Not target coalition warplanes” and the warning to ground fighters

saying “To tune into radio transmissions for details” and “You could be

next.”This is done in the hopes of preventing a counterattack and

undermining future battle plans.

Propaganda is defined as “information, ideas, or rumors deliberately spread widely to help or harm a

person, group, movement, institution, or nation.” (Dictionary.com) Through the usage of images, commercials,

films, art work, signs and various types of media the messages used to influence or imply an idea is an element of

propaganda. Propaganda has always been a popular tool used during warfare, it is meant to be a psychological

approach at defeating your enemy or gathering support. Propaganda is often disguised as nationalism with the

message of the importance to support your country in the time of need.

“If people in the media cannot decide whether they are in the business of reporting news or manufacturing propaganda, it is all the more important that the public understand that difference, and choose their news sources accordingly.” –Thomas Sowell

The Middle East

U.S. Military helicopter dropping

leaflets in southern Iraq.

United States political propaganda

encouraging people to stop supporting

the Iraq war effort.

During war each side and or country

develops their own methods of utilizing

propaganda as a method to influence their people

and gain support. For example during the Iraq War

between 2003 and 2011 the United States faced a

conflict of portraying the difference between

“good” and “bad” Islam’s because they didn’t wish

to produce passionate reactions from Iraqi’s. There

has also been discussion of the U.S.’s tactics of

propaganda accusing President George W. Bush of

selling the “War on Terror” to the American

People. In outcome to this type of advertisement

Iraq has been overall been reflected negatively, not

just the Iraq Government, Osama Bin Laden and

Saddam Hussein, but the culture as a whole.

Similar to the U.S., Iraq also used

their own methods of evangelism. Through

violence and more threatening means they

created a rapid and effective tool of

propaganda. They used low-technology

methods such as graffiti art to distributed

flyers, leaflets and self-published

newspapers to gain support. These methods

seemed to be more effective and more cost

efficient compared to the United States

method. The Iraq insurgency also created a

television station to inform people about

the war and exploit the rumors and lies

Americans were telling about the war.

Flip Side

YOU’RE BEING AFFECTED TOO!

Tangible Brainwash

CHEAPER AND MORE

EFFECTIVE?

Iraqi insurgency propaganda leaflets and

flyers to gather support for the war.

United States political propaganda copying “uncle same” encouraging to

people to support the Iraq invasion.

As innocent people are influenced and pressured to support the

conflicts their governments have created by the tool of implantation, the subject

of psychological warfare grows to become more fascinating and frightening as

modern warfare adapts to the new customs of society. Psychological warfare is

meant to play on your emotions, behavior, reasoning and motives. Much like

propaganda it is issued to influence your opinions and evaluations of public

issues. It is used to guide your actions into their desired direction and overall

change your attitude in favor of their cause.

In war, all involved parties use this tool to gain support of their

people. This act of advertisement or “brainwashing” is not something only used

by the “enemy.” It is an aspect we all have seen and or faced if we are citizens

of countries that have been involved in conflict or who strive to achieve a

specific goal in need of the public’s support. The key is know how this

advertisement affects you as an individual, but overall how it will reflect your

society as a whole. Propaganda has been known to have lasting effects on the

psyche of people living through the constant messages drowning their

individual opinions. Even after war has ended or conflict has dissolved,

propaganda message leave after effects on the social groups they are affecting.

3/15/13 VOL. # ONE ISSUE #1

PLAYING THE GAME

PSYCHOLOGICAL WARFARE

During the Iraq War the

Middle East was a hot topic in the

media, art, television and various

Medias. These images and messages

have had a lasting effect on several

cultures associated with during the

war. Propaganda is not a method

only used by the “enemy” it is a tool

that is used to benefit the people in

power or warn the individuals on the

receiving end of conflict. The

messages relayed can institute several

emotions varying from, pride, loyalty,

and freedom, to anger, fear, and

panic. The art of advertising these

messages with the underlining trust of

the people in their government or

various organizations is what makes

this method effective on a wide range

scale of influencing hundreds and

thousands of people.

“All over the place, from the popular culture to the propaganda system, there is constant

pressure to make people feel that they are helpless, that the only role they can have is to

ratify decisions and to consume.”- Noam Chomsky

3/15/13 VOL. # ONE ISSUE #1

POST AGENDA

THE AFTER EFFECTS OF PROPAGANDA

The after effects of propaganda often leave tension between both parties and create obstacles hard for society to

accept or overcome. For example, after World War II in 1964 several Japanese- Americans and Asian-Americans

were still considered outsiders by other fellow Americans. Even after several hundreds of Japanese people

spending years in internment camps for the fear that they were helping the “enemy.” It wasn’t until 1988 that

congress passed and President Reagan signed legislation that apologized for the internment, recognizing that it was

based on prejudice, hysteria and poor political leadership.

The drastic effects propaganda institutes in people’s behavior can overall have lasting effects prolonging

the treatment in favor or against various political agendas. Therefore it is important to not always listen to the

media’s messages, but to gather as much facts as you can on the subject and make your individual decision based

on what you have learned.

Propaganda is used as a tool of manipulation during warfare time periods and the usage of

media is an element disguised with the political agendas of superiors in government positions.

Overall, Propaganda is used to gain support for or against a cause needed by the force of society to

succeed. This act of advertisement can have lasting effects on society that can cause years of tension

between opposing political parties, cultures or social groups. It is important to recognize propaganda

and realize the effects it has on society both negatively and positively.

Concluding