Walter Lippmann once said, “We must remember that in time of war what is said on the enemy’s side of the front is always propaganda, and what is said on our side of the front is truth and righteousness, the cause of humanity and a crusade for peace”. Every conflict is fought on two grounds: the battlefield and the minds of the people as a means of propaganda. The “good guys” and the “bad guys” can often be guilty of misleading their people with distortions, exaggerations, subjectivity, inaccuracy, and even fabrications, in order to receive support and a sense of legitimacy (Shah, 2005). After the terrorist attacks of 9/11, the use of propaganda signified a need to invade Iraq, and expressed both an urgency and obligation to do so. In the years …show more content…
As mentioned previously, several different forms of propagandistic material were used under the Bush administration. The use of broadcasting as a form of propaganda was used when the United States first entered Iraq. The live view of U.S troops entering Baghdad helped foster support for the war and portrayed our army as a necessary means in order to provide stability for Iraq. According to the article Media Propaganda and Spectacle in the War on Iraq (2004), “Different media platforms followed the Bush administration and Pentagon slogan ‘shock and awe’ and presented the war against Iraq as a great military spectacle, while triumphalism marked the opening days of the U.S bombing of Iraq and invasion”. Throughout the entirety of the war U.S broadcasting networks created several different channels through which the Bush administration was able to carry out different forms of propaganda. Portrayed as an attempt to “seize weapons of mass destruction”, it seemed as though the Bush administration had a hidden agenda embedded within their War on Terrorism. This included the control of Iraqi oil and a mass media spectacle that would help him win the 2004 presidential election. During a press conference in March of 2003, president Bush is explicit with his decision to go to war with Iraq. He incessantly mentions Saddam Hussein and terrorism throughout his speech and numerous times ties …show more content…
U.S broadcasting networks framed it as “Operation Iraqi Freedom” or the “War in Iraq”. The Canadian CBC channel worded it as “War on Iraq”, and several Arab networks presented it as an “invasion” and “occupation” (Kellner, 2004). U.S broadcasting networks presented an extremely limited take on the war while Canadian, British, other European, and Arab networks presented frightening images of casualties and war. U.S television leaned towards “pro-military patriotism, propaganda, and technological fetishism, celebrating the weapons of war and military humanism, highlighting the achievements of heroism of the U.S troops” (Kellner, 2004). Other countries outside of the U.S and U.K viewed the military assaults as horrific and unjustifiable. It is clear that U.S citizens were receiving a single sided story conceived of inequitable and biased information. For those who knew little about the situation it was only reasonable that the United States invade Iraq and work towards developing a more free and democratic
Susan Brewer brilliantly illustrates the historical facts of American government propagating violence. Scrutinizing the Philippine War, World War I, World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War and the Iraq War the reader discovers an eerily Orwellian government manipulating her citizens instead of educating them. Brewer states, a "propaganda campaign seeks to disguise a paradoxical message: war is not a time for citizens to have an informed debate and make up their own minds even as they fight in the name of freedom to do just that." pg. 7 The Presidents of the United States and their administrations use propaganda, generation, after generation to enter into foreign wars for profit by manipulating the truth, which it is unnecessary for our government to do to her people.
No matter how well intentioned the invasion of Iraq may have been, it was an act of violence and deception that has left many American men dead for no clear reason.
Words and images were silent weapons used by all governments involved during World War II. Wars are generally fought between soldiers, but the different ideologies often meet on the battlefield as well. The support of the people is crucial during these times since general knowledge of strength relies on numbers. Propaganda targets people’s emotions and feelings and changes people’s perception about a particular idea, people, or situation. Propaganda goes hand in hand with the art of persuasion and convincing; these tools can control and manipulate the collective minds of a massive amount of its audience.
Fuller, J.F.C. "Propaganda and War. The New Technique of Mendacity as a Psychological Weapon." Ordnance, Dec
In May 2003, President George W. Bush addressed the nation and announced an end to major combat operations in Iraq which resulted in the death of Saddam Hussein. His message touched on many issues in the ongoing war on terrorism but most importantly, it conveyed the fact that the United States would not tolerate the killing of innocent people. The President began by expressing gratitude to the men and women who have sacrificed for their country. He then proceeded to inform the American people of the work that had been accomplished in Iraq, Afghanistan, and neighboring countries since the declaration of war, all while substantiating the need for ongoing military presence in the Middle East. In addition to informing the nation, he attempted to ensure the safety of the American people and warn those with intentions to harm Americans or their allies.
Shaheen, J. (1985). Media Coverage of the Middle East: Perception of Foreign Policy. The Annals of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, v482, pp. 160-75.
The Iraq war, also known as the second Gulf War, is a five-year, ongoing military campaign which started on March 20, 2003 with the invasion of Iraq by U.S. troops. One of the most controversial events in the history of the western world, the war has caused an unimaginable number of deaths, and spending of ridiculous amounts of money. The reason for invasion war Iraq’s alleged possession of weapons of mass destruction, which eventually was disproved by weapons inspectors. Many people question George W. Bush’s decision to engage a war in Iraq, but there might be greater reason why the decision was made. The ideas of George W. Bush might have been sculpted by one of the greatest works of all time, "The Prince."
One of the greatest revolutions in the twentieth century was not political in nature, however, it aided in many different political revolutions. This revolution was the communications revolution. The twentieth century has experienced one of the greatest changes in means of communication including technologies such as radio, motion pictures, the Internet, advanced communications and most importantly the television. Sadly, political leaders and the government to convince or persuade the masses that their ideas supercede those of others have utilized these technologies.
On college campuses across the nation, efforts are being made to silence professors who encourage students to probe the history of U.S. foreign policy in the effort to understand the September 11th attacks.
Propaganda is intended for those who are seeking a greater understanding of what goes on in the minds of those
`We must remember that in time of war what is said on the enemy’s side of the front is always propaganda, and what is said on our side of the front is ‘’truth’’ and righteousness, the cause of humanity and a crusade for ‘’peace’’.’’- Walter Lippmann
Iraq’s history is one of both prosperity and violence, and dates back to the ancient civilizations of Mesopotamia. While dominated by a variety of civilizations, the region enjoyed a relatively stable society. Since the birth of Islam, the religion has been the dominant cultural belief of the region, and has made its way into the laws and ruling of the region. (InDepth Info, 2010)
To some people, the only reason we won any war was because of propaganda. They might also consider it sad that we had to manipulate America in order to get support, of course, that is their opinion. Maybe it wasn’t more of manipulation; maybe propaganda could be considered a “push” rather than a total brainwash. The U.S. is a democracy, and the survival of democracy depends on the ability of people to make decisions based on information; propaganda would be an easy and efficient way to get people this information and therefore give them the choice to support an idea or not. [ Rooij 2]
Shaw, Anup . Media, Propaganda and September 11 . 26 July 2002. 27 Mar. 2004 .
The Hidden Relationship Between Government and Media Rather than being a neutral conduit for the communication of information, the U.S. media plays an intricate role in shaping and controlling political opinions. Media is extremely powerful in the sense that without an adequate functioning media, it is virtually impossible for a sophisticated social structure like the U.S. Government to exist. Henceforth, all known sophisticated social structures, have always been dependent upon the media’s ability to socialize. The U.S. government generally exploits the media, often times manipulating the enormous power of the printed word. Ultimately empowering the U.S. government, strengthening it with the ability to determine and control the popular perception of reality.