Definition
Propaganda is communication produced and distributed with the specific intent of changing the audience's beliefs, emotions, or behaviour in favour of the producer's political or military objectives. It can be entirely true, entirely false, or a selective truth — what makes it propaganda is the purpose, not the accuracy.
Why this matters when reading conflict news
Most wartime information is to some degree propagandistic. Recognising the form lets you read past it without dismissing every contested claim out of hand.
Common misunderstandings
- "Propaganda" does not automatically mean "lie". Selective truth is still propaganda.
- Both sides of any conflict produce propaganda. Asymmetry of attention is not the same as asymmetry of intent.
- Independent journalism can republish propaganda framing unintentionally — that is why source labelling exists.