Media: Censorship & Propaganda

Censorship

Definition: "Supervision and control of the information and ideas that are circulated among the people within a society. In modern times, censorship refers to the examination of books, periodicals, plays, films, television and radio programs, news reports, and other communication media for the purpose of altering or suppressing parts thought to be objectionable or offensive." -- Funk & Wagnalls New World Encyclopedia

Propaganda

Definition: A form of purposeful persuasion that attempts to influence the emotions, attitudes, opinions, and actions of specified target audiences for ideological, political or commercial purposes through the controlled transmission of one-sided messages (which may or may not be factual) via mass and direct media channels. -- Richard Alan Nelson, author of A Chronology and Glossary of Propaganda in the United States, 1996

Forms of propaganda:

· Bandwagon - The propagandist puts forth the idea that everyone is doing this, therefore you should be a part of the trend
· Testimonial - Celebrity endorsement of a philosophy, movement or candidate.
· Plain Folks - The candidate or cause is identified with common people from everyday walks of life.
· Transfer - Employs the use of symbols, quotes or the images of famous people to convey a message not necessarily associated with them.
· Fear - Technique popular among political parties and PACs (Political Action Committees) in the US. To present a dreaded cirumstance and followed by the persuasive behavior desired by the people.
· Logical Fallacies - Conclusion is created by a twisting of logic, and is therefore a fallacy.
· Glittering Generalities - A generally accepted virtue is usually employed to stir up favorable emotions.
· Name-calling - Ties a person or cause to a largely perceived negative image.

Censorship in U.S Media

"The purpose of censorship is to change or stifle acts, thoughts or publications, which are seen as repulsive, harmful, politically unwanted or, for example, contrary to the interests of state officials."

While new technology allows for the free flow of information, it can also be manipulated by repressive governments to stifle free expression. Information technologies have only made censorship more complicated and strictly monitered. With the TRUMP administration for example, faced with a president who tweets frequently about “fake news,” U.S. journalists today feel more susceptible to censorship, as noted by Alan Huffman, a freelance journalist. Additionally, during the 2020 presidential election social media platforms were the pinnacle of the citizen's decisions and news sources.

Propaganda in U.S Media

"In a world before social media and the internet, how did the United States encourage and promote American citizens in the 1930s and 1940s to contribute to the war effort? The answer-propaganda and lots of it." - Rob Price

All around us the internet and social media platforms have a way of persuading the human mind into seeing what's trending and like all human traits we are prone to follow what society shows us. In today's world problems as we all know one of the most known country to use different forms of propaganda is, China. And how might that affect the U.S? Well, credibility is for one misguided and news outlets all showcase different statistics as well as news that they want to showcase their audience. American journalists must work harder to get concrete information and not fall unto propaganda hands.