The New Propaganda
course of action in some debatable question, believing that it is promoting the best interest of the community. Propaganda? Not a bit of it. Just a plain forceful statement of truth. But let another group. of citizens express opposing views, and they are promptly labeled with the sinister name of propaganda.…
"'What is sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander,' says a wise old proverb. Let us make haste to put this fine old word back where it belongs, and restore its dignified significance for the use of our children and our children's children."
The extent to which propaganda shapes the progress of affairs about us may surprise even well informed persons. Nevertheless, it is only necessary to look under the surface of the newspaper for a hint as to propaganda's authority over public opinion. Page one of the New York Times on the day these paragraphs are written contains eight important news stories. Four of them, or one-half, are propaganda. The casual reader accepts them as accounts of spontaneous happenings. But are they? Here are the headlines which announce them: "Twelve nations warn China real reform must come before they give relief," "Pritchett reports Zionism will fail," "Realty men demand a transit inquiry," and "Our living standard highest in history, says Hoover report."
Take them in order: the article on China explains
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