Techniques of Propaganda used in the Madeleine McCann case
Sources:
SourceWatch
Wikipedia-Propaganda
Examples from the Madeleine McCann case
More to follow - suggestions and insights are welcome.
(Please note: I am breaking these up into individual posts and it is taking some time. Thanks for your patience.)
A number of techniques are used to create messages which are persuasive, but false. Many of these same techniques are by definition logical fallacies since propagandists use arguments which, although sometimes convincing, are not necessarily valid.
It is essential to have some knowledge of the following techniques for generating propaganda. (In other words - this knowledge is very helpful when trying to sort the wheat from the chaff.):
Labels:
2010,
CEOP,
Jim Gamble,
Madeleine McCann
Propaganda - General Information
Types of Propaganda
Excerpts from SourceWatch
Propaganda shares many techniques with advertising or public relations; in fact, advertising and PR can be said to be propaganda promoting a commercial product. ... In a narrower and more common use of the term, propaganda refers to deliberately false or misleading information that supports a political cause or the interests of those in power.
The propagandist seeks to change the way people understand an issue or situation, for the purpose of changing their actions and expectations in ways that are desirable to the interest group. In this sense, propaganda serves as a corollary to censorship, in which the same purpose is achieved, not by filling people's heads with false information, but by preventing people from knowing true information.
Appeal to Authority
Appeal to Authority:
Authority is evoked as the last word on an issue.
Appeals to authority cite prominent figures to support a position idea, argument, or course of action.
This sort of reasoning is fallacious when the person in question is not an expert. In such cases the reasoning is flawed because the fact that an unqualified person makes a claim does not provide any justification for the claim. The claim could be true, but the fact that an unqualified person made the claim does not provide any rational reason to accept the claim as true. Since people have a tendency to believe authorities, this fallacy is a fairly common one.
Labels:
2010,
Brian Kennedy,
CEOP,
Gordon Brown,
Jim Gamble,
Madeleine McCann
Common Man / Plain Folks
Common man
The "plain folks" or "common man" approach attempts to convince the audience that the propagandist's positions reflect the common sense of the people. It is designed to win the confidence of the audience by communicating in the common manner and style of the target audience.
Labels:
2010,
Madeleine McCann
Euphemisms
Euphemisms
When propagandists use glittering generalities and name-calling symbols, they are attempting to arouse their audience with vivid, emotionally suggestive words. In certain situations, however, the propagandist attempts to pacify the audience in order to make an unpleasant reality more palatable. This is accomplished by using words that are bland and euphemistic.
Labels:
Madeleine McCann
Stereotyping or Labeling
Stereotyping or Labeling:
This technique attempts to arouse prejudices in an audience by labeling the object of the propaganda campaign as something the target audience fears, hates, loathes, or finds undesirable.
Labels:
Gonçalo Amaral,
Madeleine McCann
Testimonial
Testimonial:
Testimonials are quotations, in or out of context, especially cited to support or reject a given policy, action, program, or personality. The reputation or the role (expert, respected public figure, etc.) of the individual giving the statement is exploited.
Labels:
2010,
CEOP,
Jim Gamble,
Madeleine McCann
Scapegoating
Scapegoating
Assigning blame to an individual or group, thus alleviating feelings of guilt from responsible parties and/or distracting attention from the need to fix the problem for which blame is being assigned.
Labels:
2010,
Find Madeleine Fund,
Gonçalo Amaral,
Robert Murat
False Comparison or Analogy
False Analogy
In this technique, two things that may or may not really be similar are portrayed as being similar.
Labels:
Gonçalo Amaral,
Madeleine McCann
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