Spreading Propaganda Research Articles

The role of cinema in Young Turk propaganda during the second constitutional era (1908–1913)

ABSTRACT This article examines the use of cinema by the Young Turk Movement, which played a significant role in transforming the Ottoman Empire from an absolutist regime into a constitutional monarchy in 1908. Upon gaining power, the Young Turks faced various external and internal political challenges, such as imperialist ambitions over Ottoman territory, Balkan states' efforts to reclaim lost lands, and separatist movements within the empire. This article explores how they used cinema to promote their political agenda and address these challenges. It argues that cinema was employed not only to display power and spread propaganda but also to project an image of governance aligned with constitutional ideals.

СУЧАСНА РОСІЙСЬКА МУЗИКА ЯК ЗАСІБ ПОШИРЕННЯ ПРОРОСІЙСЬКИХ НАРАТИВІВ: ОСОБЛИВОСТІ ТА ШЛЯХИ БОРОТЬБИ З БОКУ УКРАЇНИ

Over the course of two years of full-scale war, numerous studies demonstrate that a portion of Ukraine’s population still maintains an interest in Russian-language musical products. This has a particularly negative impact on the consciousness of such citizens and supports the armed aggression of the Russian Federation. Through the monetization of music streaming on various platforms, funds flow into Russia’s budget, which it then uses to purchase weapons for its war against Ukraine. Music is enjoyed by different generations of people, regardless of age, status, or nationality. That is why it is one of the most effective means of spreading propaganda. It is unobtrusive, designed for easy perception and relaxation. This manipulation tactic of audience consciousness can be observed even during World War II. Most Russian songs predominantly celebrate everyday phenomena, various forms of leisure, or depict the grandeur of love and other emotions. However, in Russia, there are types of songs that propagate narratives such as the idealization and romanticization of Russian President V. Putin, calls for patriotism, reminders that everyone living in Russia and speaking Russian is part of the «great Russian people», emphasis on the greatness and power of Russia, and portraying the country as always victorious, urging participation in the military. Ukrainian media researchers need to regularly and carefully monitor the emergence of such compositions and the narratives they spread. They have a particularly negative impact on the consciousness of Ukrainian citizens, especially those residing in temporarily occupied territories of our country. The dissemination of propaganda through songs is a widespread and at the same time insidious method of influencing society. Russia actively uses it and unfortunately, quite successfully, as evidenced by numerous studies showing that Ukrainians still listen to Russian music on many online platforms.

The Language of Manipulation and Control: Operational Methods of the Securitate in A. Belc’s Film Metronom

The objective of the present study is to analyze the operational methods employed by the secret police agency (Securitate) in exerting influence and control over individuals within the Romanian communist society, as depicted in the film Metronom directed by Alexandru Belc. Through an analysis of the dialogue between the protagonist and a Securitate officer, this research explores the tactics used by the Romanian secret police to manipulate and deceive citizens, preserve power, and maintain social control. Drawing on critical discourse analysis and theories of power, this study reveals the subtle and insidious ways in which the Securitate operated within the Romanian society to silence opposition, spread propaganda, and maintain a stranglehold on society. In this line of work, a set of elements has been delineated, aimed at evaluating the manipulative nature of communist discourse strategies. The findings provide insights into the cinematic portrayal of the Securitate in Romanian communist society, highlighting the use of language and discourse as tools for controlling and manipulating both the population and individuals.

Propaganda Kelompok Feminis Melalui Pemanfaatan Media Sosial Instagram

Feminism has the main goal of equalizing the rights of women and men who were previously differentiated based on gender. The massive and comprehensive development of feminist groups through various media, one of which is using Instagram, is a means of spreading propaganda for feminist groups and supporting LGBT groups through feminist groups. In its use, Instagram as a means of propaganda takes advantage of its fast and wide spread so that the propaganda is carried out more effectively. The account @indonesiafeminis as a feminist and LGBT propagandist relies on illustrations, persuasive texts and videos to get the attention of the general public as social media users. This study aims to analyze the threat of propaganda in uploads from Instagram accounts related to LGBT. The theory used is the theory of Modern Propaganda and Threat Theory by analyzing a number of uploads on the account @indonesiafeminis. The result of the research is that the threat analysis shows that the @indonesiafeminis account has intentions and capabilities which are marked by intentions in the form of propaganda in support of LGBT and capabilities in the form of actions taken and social networks that are owned both in the real world and social media. Future researchers should conduct research by comparing several other feminist accounts and then analyze them comprehensively using other threat theories so that the suggestions from their research are also comprehensive.

Where do social media and education meet? A closer look at understanding of democracy

ABSTRACT Social media presents a contradictory relationship with democracy. Once, it was regarded as a tool for democracy, providing alternative sources of information and coordinating social movements for democratization. Later it also became a tool for authoritarian regimes to control information and spread propaganda to stay in power. This mixed perception suggests that both democratic and authoritarian forces can use social media to influence public opinion. This presents a puzzle to the relationship between social media use and democratic understanding. Does social media promote or erode understanding of democracy? This study argues that the effect of social media use on understanding of democracy depends on higher education. The relationship also differs between democracies and non-democracies. Using the newest wave of the World Values Survey (wave 7, 2017–2020), this study analyses the influence of social media use on understanding of democracy in non-democracies and democracies. The findings suggest that social media use positively affects understanding of democracy in democratic countries. However, the democratic effect of social media is nullified in non-democracy unless it interacts with higher education. The findings offer implications for the relationship between social media, higher education, and understanding of democracy.

THE ROLE OF SOCIAL MEDIA IN THE SPREAD OF EXTREME TERRORISM IN KOSOVO THE LEGAL AND CRIMINAL VIEW OF THESE CRIMES

Terrorism is not a new concept, but it gained prominence when many extreme occurrences occurred, prompting a more in-depth investigation of the subject. Following the Pan Am flight bombing, for example, terrorism horrified the United States government and the entire world’s population. This research aims to investigate, using secondary data, how social media was used in Kosovo to spread propaganda for radical terrorism and to analyse the provisions of the Kosovo Criminal Code that were broken by this propaganda. The current study relies on desk research with secondary data analysis, namely the content analysis of reports, articles, and news, and interpretive analysis of the Criminal Code of Kosovo. According to the study, propaganda for the spread of extremism and radicalism was used in Kosovo by showing videos on Facebook and YouTube channels, typically with religious messages about the duty to God for helping brothers and sisters in Syria and, to a lesser extent, by showing videos of Kosovo terrorists directly committing terrorist acts in Syria. In addition, the analysis discovers that propaganda led to violations of paragraphs a, b, and c of Article 139 of the Kosovo Criminal Code.

The Great Depression. Informal Citizenship Education in a Usurpatory Democracy

Many countries have had people in power who were mower-mad and hungry for money as their representatives. In the case of Poland, there is quiet acquiescence to unethical actions by the authorities for the sake of one's own benefits, and a commonly accepted aversion to politicians (Zalec, 2022). of all kinds, which may be linked to the country's history. Those in power have become usurpers who do not care about the rules, the constitution or EU law, nor are they afraid of any punishment. Those who oppose these precedents become enemies, murderers or are accused of spreading propaganda. The country is divided into two camps - those who support the current government and those who are against it. The consequences do not only affect individuals, they are sometimes extended to entire municipalities where the current ruling party has lost the election. Ignorance or lack of civic knowledge can cause some voters to ignore the fact/not realise that their passivity is nevertheless supporting the current government. Crucial to combating this phenomenon is reliable informal citizenship education, carried out in an ongoing, emotionally charged way, appealing to the positive sides of informed citizenship and not discouraging to politics. The value of democracy should be taught. People should become open to discussing democracy, and the media should also repeat such positive messages. It is also important to remember what has happened by now.

Spreading Lies Through the Cyber Domain

The expansion of Information Operations (IO) over the past ten years has allowed individuals and groups to increase their sphere of influence on a global scale. Nation-state cyber threat actors have increased their presence on social media, building out false personas to influence large populations. This type of activity is difficult to stop due to the availability of social networks on the internet and the ease of creating false personas that can’t be directly attributed to the actor. IO activity has been observed with the Russian cyber activity during the 2016 U.S. Presidential elections and from Russian social media campaigns provoking extremist groups and attempting to cause physical harm, such as the 2017 campaign on Facebook to start a rally and a simultaneous counter rally in front of the Islamic Da’wah Centre of Houston. Although Russia has been observed leveraging this capability, they are not the only global actor in the cyber domain taking advantage of IO. Global threat actors have leveraged social media platforms and blogs to influence the global population and spread propaganda. This type of activity has been seen within traditional warfare using propaganda techniques. With the introduction of the cyber domain into warfare, there is an increased ability to communicate not only to one population but to the global community with the intent to manipulate the masses using IO. This paper examines the Cybersecurity Operations (CO) that have been observed utilizing IO and the psychological impacts they have had in successful campaigns against the United States. This paper argues that with increased influence capabilities in the cyber domain, individuals and groups will continue using IO to support tactical and strategic objectives. Through the available literature, this paper examines the impacts that IO has had on the United States through attempts to manipulate elections and create divides in the nation over the last ten years. This paper leverages the psychology of group processes to analyze the literature involving social media campaigns and the influencing of groups through the lens of social identity theory to provide new insight into mitigating and countering IO.

Media studies, Le Bon’s psychology of crowds, and qualitative-normative research on propaganda, 1880–2020

ABSTRACT The unexpected change in the way media researchers frame the Internet – from a utopia of free speech in the 1990s to a nightmare of spreading propaganda and disinformation in the 2010s – is reminiscent of the founding period of the field in 1880–1920. It was then that, because of the birth of the modern cultural-industrial media system that was put into large-scale propaganda use by governments and other social actors, the foundations of propaganda studies were laid. This is why the work of Gustave Le Bon (1841–1931) acquired new actuality. In Psychology of Crowds, first published in 1895, Le Bon suggested an explanation for why some people resort to propaganda and why others believe in it. This paper tracks the development of this research tradition from Le Bon to Walter Lippmann, Theodor W. Adorno, and – following the interlude of cultural studies in the 1980s and 1990s – the present day. In conclusion, a methodology for explaining the evolution of media studies is advanced, using qualitative-normative propaganda analysis as an illustration.

Technoculture and the Propaganda: A Postmodern Reading of Margaret Atwood’s Oryx and Crake

This paper examines the role of technology in spreading propaganda through a postmodern lens, by studying Margaret Atwood’s dystopian novel Oryx and Crake. Drawing from postmodern theory the paper argues that technology has become a powerful tool for propaganda dissemination and manipulation, and that it is increasingly difficult to distinguish between reality and fiction in the media-saturated environment. Through an analysis of the novel’s depiction of a dystopian future society where technology is used to control and manipulate the masses.

Deepfake as an Advanced Manipulative Technique for Spreading Propaganda

The article describes the basic foundations and significance of the manipulative technique called Deepfake, which in the environment of technological and informational expansion is also becoming a widely used tool for spreading propaganda. This advanced manipulation complements a wider spectrum of forms of disinformation and is increasingly being used as a means of conducting information operations, often as part of wider hybrid warfare. Effectively combating this kind of manipulation places high demands on consumers of information, both on the part of the detection tools used and on the part of the cognitive human approach based on critical thinking. The expansion and sophistication of similar manipulative techniques will continue, in connection with the development of modern technologies and the interconnectedness of the information environment. Although the Deepfake technique is not only associated with security-military aspects, its influence on information operations and hybrid warfare cannot be neglected.

TELEGRAM NEWS CHANNELS: OVERVIEW, AUDIENCE PREFERENCES, SPECIFICS OF FUNCTIONING

The article is devoted to the study of popular global news telegram-channels, their impact on society, and the identification of advantages and disadvantages of this media format. The article examines prominent news channels such as The New York Times, BBC News, The Guardian, CNN and Reuters. Their features and differences are analyzed, the positive and negative aspects of using Telegram channels to receive news and information are described. For the research, the audience was also surveyed about their experience of using news telegram channels and their opinion about the advantages and disadvantages of this media format. The article also provides advice on choosing reliable and objective news telegram channels and warns about the possibility of spreading propaganda and biased information in some channels. The results of the study showed that Telegram news channels are mostly popular among young people who are looking for quick and convenient access to information. Surveys of the audience showed that the majority of respondents consider such channels convenient and accessible for receiving news. However, the study also revealed the risks of providing biased and fake information by some Telegram news channels. Therefore, it is important for users to pay attention on the content of Telegram channels and check information from other sources. The study of popular global news Telegram channels was conducted using the methods of activity and content analysis, which made it possible to identify the prevailing topics, types of materials and the level of audience activity. In addition, the study found that content quality and journalistic standards differ from channel to channel. Telegram channels The New York Times, BBC News, The The Guardian and Reuters have received high marks from audiences and experts for the quality and independence of their information. The CNN Telegram channel also has high journalistic standards. So, the article contains valuable information for those who are interested in news and use Telegram channels as a source of information. It will help to choose the most high-quality and reliable channels, as well as to use them with maximum benefit and caution.

British “Black” Productions

Abstract Recently declassified archival materials reveal that the United Kingdom conducted a sustained program of so-called black propaganda at the height of the Cold War. This article examines roughly 350 operations in which the British government spread propaganda through forgeries and front groups. Placing the campaign in its broader global history, the article demonstrates that British black propaganda mainly targeted Soviet activity in Africa and Asia as part of the postcolonial battle for influence. The British government engaged in black propaganda far more often than has previously been kown, including aggressive operations seeking to disrupt, attack, and sow chaos as much as simply to expose lies. Although much of the content was broadly accurate, the fake sources deliberately deceived audiences in order to encourage a reaction, incite violence, or foment racial tensions.

TONARIGUMI’S ROLE AS A HABIT-FORMING MEDIA IN JAVANESE SOCIETY (1942-1945)

At the beginning of the collapse of Dutch’s rule in Indonesia, Japan took advantage of the crisis to take over Dutch’s rule. The Japanese made various propaganda efforts, such as forming propagandist organisations and broadcasting good framing about Japan. The Japanese used Tonarigumi to help spread propaganda to Javanese people. Besides, tonarigumi also played a role in becoming an arena for changing habits in the culture of the people on Java Island. This article will explain the role of tonarigumi as a propaganda helper and the habits formed by the propaganda spread by the Japanese. This study uses historical research methods with systematic models. The problem analysis will use habitus theory which is first imitated by Pierre Bourdieu and developed by B. Takwin. The result of this study is that tonarigumi acted as a bridge that connects propagandist organisations and the government with the community and actively acting as a mobiliser for Javanese customs. From the role performed, the community has established habits such as saving and increasing the use of regional languages. The habits of people who were previously accustomed to the use of Dutch were eventually replaced by regional languages and Japanese.KEYWORDS: tonarigumi, propaganda, Japanese government, propagandist organisations, habits.

Detecting Extremism on Twitter During U.S. Capitol Riot Using Deep Learning Techniques

In the 21st century, social media platforms have become famous for communicating ideas, opinions, and emotions. These platforms are influential in reaching out to youth, recruiting, and spreading propaganda. Extremist groups are now active users of social media platforms; therefore, it is necessary to monitor their activities. Therefore, there is an urgent need to detect extremism on social media platforms. Existing research on extremism lacks a dedicated extremism dataset and provides minimal insights into extremism texts. This study introduces the development of an extremism dataset containing tweets collected from Twitter and classifying extremism texts as propaganda, recruitment, radicalization, and non-extremism. The proposed extremism dataset is evaluated using different Artificial Intelligence approaches such as Bi-LSTM, BERT, RoBERTa, and DistilBERT. Among the four models, RoBERTa proved to be the most suitable for detecting extremism on social media, with an accuracy of 95%.

Manipulation and Propaganda in the Russian Media: The Case of the Vriemia News Programme (2017-2019)

Information is a powerful tool used in any society and by any nation to create excepted perception of reality. Russian information operations have always been a very interesting example of using various media to manipulate international and domestic opinion in support of national (government) objectives. The situation has not changed in the contemporary information environment based on the nation’s experiences and skilful utilization of emerging tools and technologies. Those capabilities are used pragmatically by Kremlin-controlled media to shape the future among younger people. In this respect, the paper is based on research conducted in selected Moscow and Saint Petersburg universities, responsible for educating future generations. The research is based on young adults’ perception of the information provided by Channel One (Russian: Первый канал). This is the most influential and popular television channel controlled by the current government; therefore, it plays a significant role in spreading propaganda to shape the perception of the realm by domestic and foreign audiences alike. The authors conducted research in the years 2017-2019, employing the survey method to find out what is the effect of television-based propaganda type of information to manipulate the recipients. The research revealed that, although the Russian media strongly influences the study group, the respondents recognize the utilization of propaganda, which is founded on a one-sided narrative, and they are not easily manipulated. Moreover, the results presented that there is an interdependence between the favourable opinions about Channel One’s Vriemia news coverage and vulnerability to manipulation and propaganda techniques.

Peran Media Sosial Sebagai Alat Propaganda Dalam Konflik Nagorno Karabakh Antara Armenia Dan Azerbaijan

The purpose of this paper is to explain how social media has become a new space for political discussion. The use of social media to report on conflicts, influence political perceptions, voice opinions about conflicts, and solicit public support around the world. As is the case with the Nagorno Karabakh ethnical conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan which cannot be separated from social media. In this conflict, social media was also used to ask for public support around the world to side with one of the countries in the Nagorno Karabakh Conflict. This paper will also examine how governmental and non-governmental actors use social media as a tool of propaganda and how the international community is a part of spreading propaganda in the Nagorno Karabakh conflict. To help the author in the analysis process, at least the author uses several conceptual frameworks, including the role of social media in international relations, propaganda and identity conflicts in international relations.
 Keywords : Armenia; Azerbaijan; Ethnic Conflict; Nagorno Karabakh; Propaganda; Social Media

The Development of British Public Diplomacy in the Arab World

This paper attempts to map the major changes and developments of British public diplomacy in the Arab world. I argue here that the BBC and the British Council have greatly assisted British public diplomacy efforts and can be regarded as effective because exerting influence in an indirect way can often be more effective than the direct advocacy approach followed by the British government during the colonial periods. In the beginning, the policy was focused on spreading propaganda, while today it is related to soft power and cultural diplomacy with the active use of social media. The paper concludes with a brief reference to social media use by British embassies in the region following the major Arab Spring events, indicating little audience engagement with them.

PROPAGANDA ISSUES OF RACISM THROUGH SOCIAL MEDIA TO TRIGGER SOCIAL VIOLENCE IN PAPUA AND WEST PAPUA IN 2019

<p>Racism events that took place in the Papua Student Dormitory, Surabaya, East Java had a long tail by causing mass protests and riots in Papua and West Papua from 19 August 2019 to 23 September 2019. Mass riots by Papuans and Papuan native students were triggered by the problem of spreading propaganda on the issue of racism on a massive scale through social media by exploiting the issue of racism that is happening in the city of Surabaya. This study uses propaganda theory, social conflict theory, and national security theory in analyzing these problems. This study uses qualitative research methods with a descriptive analysis approach. Sources of data obtained through interviews, observation, and literature studies. The results showed that the propaganda issue of racism was the cause of mass unrest and social conflict in Papua and West Papua; the propaganda issue of racism is very effective in achieving its broader goals of changing the attitudes and behavior of Papuan and Papuan indigenous students to be destructive and gaining local and international support by creating negative opinions as material to delegitimize and discredit the Government of Indonesia, and the propaganda issue of racism has resulted in damage to social relations with other Indonesian people and the potential for social conflict that can threaten national security.</p>

Muriel Spark and the Art of Deception: Constructing Plausibility with the Methods of WWII Black Propaganda

Abstract From May to October 1944, Muriel Spark was employed by the Political Warfare Executive (PWE), a secret service created by Britain during the Second World War with the mission of spreading propaganda to enemy and enemy-occupied countries. This was a formative experience which allowed her to develop an understanding of literal truth as elusive and historically contingent—even a constructed effect—as well as an interest in fictional fabrication and deception. Drawing on an account of the methods of WWII British black propaganda, Spark’s biographical accounts, and heretofore untapped archival documents from the Political Warfare Executive Papers (National Archives), this essay analyses how Spark employs the fictional equivalent of the methods of WWII black propaganda in order to examine the creation of plausibility in her novels. It explores Spark’s deployment of verifiable facts, evidence, precise information, appropriate tone, narrative coherence, targeting, covert motives, chronological disruption and repetition to construct the key elements of fiction in her novels. I argue that such fictional strategies provide a political and moral antidote to totalitarian thinking by presenting reality as necessarily contingent, and therefore open to external contestation and democratic debate. Bringing together history, biography and literary criticism, this is the first systematic and archivally supported examination of how Spark’s work for the PWE opens up a way of rethinking her fascination with the art of deception.