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propaganda

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Propaganda is defined as the systematic, widespread distribution of specific ideas, doctrines, practices which can help one cause or be harmful to another cause.

Facts About Propaganda

Propaganda messages can be delivered as part of the mainstream news media, including through music, magazines, movies, and television shows.
Propaganda may also take the form of reports, publications, and leaflets targeted to a particular segment of the population.

Propaganda presents the facts selectively in order to encourage people to come to a particular conclusion.

Propaganda often delivers loaded messages designed to produce an emotional rather than rational response to the information that is being presented.

It is common for propaganda to be aimed at children and young adults, because they lack the critical reasoning skills and contextual comprehension abilities to help determine the objectivity of a particular message.

Techniques used in propaganda can include appeals to fear, statements of prejudice, black and white fallacies, disinformation, demonizing the enemy, flag waving, intentional vagueness, oversimplification, and scapegoating.
The most effective propaganda campaigns are based upon the truth.

(noun)

An example of propaganda is a brochure that talks badly about a political candidate.
An example of propaganda is a film about good hygeine.

See propaganda in Webster's New World College Dictionary

noun

R.C.Ch. a committee of cardinals, the Congregation for the Propagation of the Faith, in charge of the foreign missions
any systematic, widespread dissemination or promotion of particular ideas, doctrines, practices, etc. to further one's own cause or to damage an opposing one
ideas, doctrines, or allegations so spread: now often used disparagingly to connote deception or distortion

Origin: ModL, short for congregatio de propaganda fide, congregation for propagating the faith: see propagate

See propaganda in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun

The systematic propagation of a doctrine or cause or of information reflecting the views and interests of those advocating such a doctrine or cause.
Material disseminated by the advocates or opponents of a doctrine or cause: wartime propaganda.
Propaganda Roman Catholic Church A division of the Roman Curia that has authority in the matter of preaching the gospel, of establishing the Church in non-Christian countries, and of administering Church missions in territories where there is no properly organized hierarchy.

Origin:

Origin: Short for New Latin Sacra Congregātiō dē Prōpagandā Fidē, Sacred Congregation for Propagating the Faith (established 1622)

Origin: , from ablative feminine gerundive of Latin prōpāgāre, to propagate; see propagate

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