Propaganda in the Century's First War
The word "propaganda" conjures Cold War images of deliberate misinformation. But propaganda does not necessarily involve lies, rather it places facts into an interpretive context, says UAB communications expert John Wittig, Ph.D. "A demonstration to one is a riot to another." That distinction is being brought home to Americans in the current U.S. military actions in Afghanistan. For example, critics have labeled recent U.S-led humanitarian food drops as propaganda designed to make international option accept the U.S military operation. Wittig says any action or communication can potentially be propaganda. It can be as socially subtle as the wording of a text book or as overt as the Bush administration's publication of the 22 Most Wanted Terrorists. It is used to stir people to action and unite them in a cause.
Contact: Gail Short, Media Relations, 205-934-8931 or [email protected].
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