Editor's Corner: How Propaganda is Used As a Weapon of War

Propaganda can be a powerful tool of persuasion and has been instrumental in shaping the course of wars throughout history. It is defined as systematic and purposeful communication intended to influence the emotions, attitudes, and opinions of target audiences. This is achieved through controlled and one-sided messages designed to change the actions of these targets.

In this blog post, we will explore how propaganda can be used as a weapon of war. It aims to manipulate public opinion, demoralize the enemy, and maintain support for the war effort. Let's dig in!

MANIPULATING PUBLIC OPINIONS

When there is war, rallying national support becomes crucial. Governments deploy targeted propaganda to foster unity and patriotism, ensuring the population is aligned with war efforts. During World War I, the United States famously used emotionally charged and iconic "Uncle Sam" images with the slogan: "I want you for the U.S. Army!" This motivated droves of young American men to enlist. Such visual propaganda created a sense of duty and solidarity, portraying enlistment as both a personal and national imperative.

Vilifying the enemy is another essential tactic for manipulating public opinion. By depicting the adversary as evil or subhuman, governments justify the war and garner support for military actions. This tactic is evident in the conflict in Ukraine, with both sides vilifying each other. Russia labels Ukrainians as "Nazis," "Fascists," and "Bandera supporters," while Ukrainian supporters refer to Russian soldiers as "orcs." Similarly, during the Second World War, the Nazis used propaganda to portray Jews as a threat, dehumanizing them to justify the Holocaust. Conversely, Allied propaganda depicted the Axis powers as barbaric and inhumane, invoking moral righteousness for their cause.

Misinformation and fake news are modern tools of propaganda used to significantly alter public perception. In the digital age, false stories spread rapidly through social media, swaying public opinion and influencing electoral outcomes. This was evident in the European Parliament elections, where Russia allegedly meddled in the second-largest democratic vote in the world. Russian trolls spread disinformation about the war in Ukraine and the situation in Gaza, and they tried to propagate narratives about the West struggling due to sanctions against Russia. These tactics aim to create confusion, mistrust, and division, ultimately shaping public sentiment and political landscapes.

DEMORALIZING THE ENEMY 

Propaganda can also be used as a tool to demoralize the enemy, targeting both the adversary's population and military. It aims to weaken their resolve and willingness to fight. Psychological warfare employs various methods to break the spirit of opposing forces. For example, in Ukraine, numerous videos online show large numbers of Russian soldiers dying on the front lines. This is unfortunately also referred to as Putin's meat grinder in Ukraine. 

These videos may result from Ukrainian defenders' successes or Russian incompetence. Even though this kind of propaganda is based on truth, it is widely spread by Ukrainian supporters to send a strong message to Russians: continue to fight, and you will die. Conversely, there are also many videos of Russian soldiers being captured or surrendering and living relatively well in Ukrainian prisons. This sends the message that it is much better to give up and live comfortably than to risk your life in a filthy trench and die for a despot. If I were a Russian soldier, I know which option I would choose!

MAINTAINING SUPPORT FOR THE WAR EFFORT 

Controlling the narrative is crucial for maintaining public support for the war effort. Governments often try to influence or even control the media to ensure that positive messages about the troops are transmitted to the population. For example, in Russia, media freedom has been severely restricted. It is illegal to call the "special military operation" a war or to criticize the regime, the military, or any other associated organizations. Recently, a fifteen-year-old boy was arrested in Russia and faces many years in jail for opposing Putin and his war in Ukraine. 

Censorship and information control are also used to maintain morale and prevent dissent. In Russia, Z patriots and war bloggers spread false information about battlefield successes and lie about how the West and Ukraine are struggling. This tactic has historical precedents. During World War II, the Nazis maintained strict control over all content, with Joseph Goebbels, the Nazi's Propaganda Chief, ensuring only pro-Nazi messages were broadcast. Sefton Delmer, a British journalist, exploited this by creating a covert radio station that criticized the lavish lifestyles of high-ranking Nazi officers while ordinary soldiers died on the battlefield.

Propaganda is also used to boost morale and ensure that people on the home front remain buoyant and motivated. In Ukraine, stories of heroic soldiers and battlefield gains are spread on social media daily. This positive propaganda shows the Ukrainian population, and the Western countries that support the war effort, that things are progressing and that their support is justified.

MODERN PROPAGANDA TECHNIQUES 

The rise of social media and other digital platforms has made it almost too easy to spread propaganda. Terrorist organizations such as ISIS, for example, have used social media to spread their messages globally, coordinate attacks, and gain followers. These platforms allow for rapid and widespread dissemination of messages, reaching a global audience instantly. Propaganda content can go viral, meaning a large number of people can be influenced quickly and effectively.

Modern technologies such as deepfakes and artificial intelligence (AI) present new opportunities in the realm of propaganda. Deepfakes are highly realistic but fake videos created using AI. They can be used to spread disinformation and manipulate public perceptions. For example, a deepfake video might show a popular politician saying or doing something damaging, even though the video is entirely fabricated. Such videos can look so realistic that the damage is done even if they are later proven false. These technologies make it increasingly difficult to distinguish between truth and lies, challenging the integrity of information.

In response to the increased and evolving nature of propaganda, counter-propaganda methods have also been developed. Recently, the European Parliament called for stronger countermeasures against Russian propaganda, which includes banning access to Russian media pages in the EU due to their damaging fake content. This includes organizations such as Russia Today (RT), RIA Novosti, and Rossiyskaya Gazeta. Counter-propaganda measures can include public awareness campaigns, fact-checking tools, and international cooperation to combat misinformation. Dedicated organizations use various tools to verify information and debunk false narratives. Education campaigns can enhance media literacy in the population, sharpening critical thinking skills so individuals can recognize and resist propaganda more effectively in the future.

ETHICAL AND LEGAL CONSIDERATIONS 

If we examine the moral and ethical aspects of propaganda, we encounter many concerning zones and grey areas. The manipulation of truth and the exploitation of emotions for political gains pose significant moral dilemmas. Propaganda has a dark side: while it can unite and motivate, it can also deceive and manipulate, undermining core values such as truth and transparency.

International laws, such as the Geneva Conventions, attempt to regulate the use of propaganda in warfare, particularly aiming to protect civilian populations. These legal frameworks strive to shield individuals from the harmful effects of manipulative and deceitful communication. However, implementing such laws is challenging, especially when information can spread rapidly and widely.

CONCLUSION

Propaganda remains a very powerful weapon in warfare, not to mention that it is cheap and easy to deploy. It is adept at manipulating public opinion, demoralizing enemies, and maintaining support for war efforts. Its evolution from traditional media such as radio and newspapers to digital platforms demonstrates its enduring relevance and adaptability.

As technology continues to improve, the potential for successful propaganda only increases. Therefore, it is imperative that countries establish ways to combat harmful propaganda. This can be achieved by fostering media literacy and critical thinking, using modern fact-checking tools, and actively countering the disinformation directed at them.

Resources: 

• CNN: Doppelgängers and deepfakes: How Russian trolls are meddling in the world’s second-biggest democratic vote
• Historic News Network: Who Was Uncle Sam? And Why Did He Want "You"?
• Metro UK: Boy, 15, jailed for five years in Russia for opposing Putin and the Ukraine war
• BBC: Russia's meat grinder soldiers - 50,000 confirmed dead
• Time Magazine: The Man Who Used Nazi Propaganda to Help the Allies Win
• The RAND Institute: ISIS's Use of Social Media Still Poses a Threat to Stability in the Middle East and Africa
• EU Parliament: MEPs call for a firm response to counter Russian interference
• ECCEU: Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine: Council bans broadcasting activities in the European Union of four more Russia-associated media outlets