Propaganda Theory Analysis Coursework

November 9, 2020 by Essay Writer
Communication Theory Propaganda Theory
Meaning The propaganda theory explains how social, political, and economic attitudes are manufactured to manipulate the populace, for the sake of the welfare of entities with power and money.
Invention Edward S. Herman and Noam Chomsky introduced the theory in their book, Manufacturing Consent – The Political Economy of the Mass Media, which was published in 1988. However, later on, Herman and Chomsky updated the theory in 2002.
Development The concepts of the propaganda theory were obtained from the publications written by Harold Dwight Lasswell, on political and wartime propaganda between the 1920s and 1940s. In addition, Herman and Chomsky inculcated the concepts presented by Jacques Ellul regarding the sociological techniques of propaganda and the media between the 50s and 60s.
Theory used in studies The propaganda theory connects with other critical approaches in communications studies in several ways. For instance, it is closely associated with Frankfurt School’s analysis. The typical starting point of these two approaches is the critique of instrumental reason. Moreover, it is used in understanding power in all its forms (power to manipulate public discourse and perception of key topics, to ignore other subjects, to mold knowledge and to moderate dissent).
Practical application The propaganda model can be applied to critique the asymmetric power structures and the instrumentalization of people, be it in institutions, culturally or otherwise, that sustain authoritarian and hierarchical social structures. It aims to puncture the false beliefs stemming from doctrines.
Organization of information The propaganda theory is organized into five filters, which include ownership, funding, sourcing, flaks, and anti-communism. These filters make information being passed across to differ from the original by determining what will sway the populace and how the communication process and channel used.
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