Published: September 2020
Languages: English, German
The Propaganda Key describes twenty media manipulation techniques and the ten most common messages of war propaganda. A helpful tool for modern media consumers and analysts.
Media manipulation techniques
- Editorial techniques
- Selection of topics: One-sided selection, weighting or placement
- Headlines: One-sided choice of title, subtitle or section titles
- Conflict parties: One-sided allocation of text or speaking time
- Third-party sources: One-sided selection or non-transparent sourcing
- Interviews/guests: One-sided selection, designation, conduct of interviews
- Context: Misleading omission of context or background information
- Linguistic techniques
- Unsubstantiated or false allegations or assertions
- Manipulative choice of words, formulations, designations
- Manipulative suggestions, insinuations, associations
- Manipulative translations and citations
- Audiovisual techniques
- Manipulative use of images, sound or film material
- Manipulative editing of images, sound or film material
- Manipulative use of background music
- Manipulative facial expressions, gestures, intonation
- Other techniques
- Appeal to authority or prestige
- Defame; discredit; mock
- Idealize; trivialize; sugarcoat
- Dramatize; personalize; generalize
- Other
Messages of war propaganda
- The enemy camp is solely responsible for the war
- We are innocent and peace-loving
- The enemy has demonic features
- We fight for a good cause, the enemy for selfish ends
- The enemy commits atrocities on purpose, but with us it’s an accident
- The enemy uses illegal weapons
- Our losses are small, but those of the opponent are enormous
- Our cause is supported by artists and intellectuals
- Our mission is sacred
- Anyone who doubts our reporting is a traitor
Literature
Arthur Ponsonby (1928): Falsehood in War-Time. George Allen and Unwin, London.
Baines, Paul R (2013): Propaganda. SAGE Library of Military and Strategic Studies, London.
Chomsky, Noam & Herman, Edward (1988): A Propaganda Model. Pantheon Books, New York.