White propaganda
White propaganda is propaganda that does not hide its origin or nature.[1][2][3] It is the most common type of propaganda and is distinguished from black propaganda which disguises its origin to discredit an opposing cause.
It typically uses standard public relations techniques and one-sided presentation of an argument. In some languages the word "propaganda" does not have a negative connotation. For example, the Russian word propaganda (пропаганда) has a neutral connotation in some cases, similar to the English word "promotion" (of an opinion or argument). Jacques Ellul, in one of the major books on the subject of propaganda, Propaganda: The Formation of Men's Attitudes, mentions white propaganda as an acknowledgment of the awareness of the public of attempts being made to influence it. In some states there is a Ministry of Propaganda, for instance; in such a case, one admits that propaganda is being made, its source is known, and its aims and intentions are identified.[4]
See also
- Gray propaganda – Use of political means to compel an opponent with hostile intentPages displaying short descriptions of redirect targets
- Official history – Work of history which is sponsored or endorsed by its subject
- Operation Mockingbird – Alleged program of the CIA
- Public diplomacy – Public relations as a form of diplomacy
References
- ^ Briant, Emma L.; Bakir, Vian (15 October 2024). Routledge Handbook of the Influence Industry. Taylor & Francis. ISBN 978-1-040-12198-6.
- ^ "white propaganda". Department of Defense. Archived from the original on 2016-03-04.
- ^ "White Propaganda - A Weapon of War - National Library of Scotland". digital.nls.uk. Archived from the original on 2019-06-02. Retrieved 2019-06-02.
- ^ Ellul, Jacques (1965). Propaganda: The Formation of Men’s Attitudes, p. 16.Trans. Konrad Kellen & Jean Lerner. Vintage Books, New York. ISBN 978-0-394-71874-3.
External links
- On The Craft of Intelligence Archived 2020-10-17 at the Wayback Machine, Frank G. Wisner, CIA, 22 SEPT 93