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Propaganda

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What do you lovely people think, is propaganda a universal thing, that all nations and groups vying for power utilise to further their own agenda? Or is it just a tool used by the bad guys, and the good upright nations of the earth would never engage in such nefarious activity?

 

I mean, our government and news outlets shoot straight from the hip, right? Right?!

 

How do we see through propoganda, and get a more accurate and clear view of the world as it is; that than the world as 'they' want us to see it?

Edited by Waldo

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16 minutes ago, Waldo said:

How do we see through propoganda, and get a more accurate and clear view of the world as it is; that than the world as 'they' want us to see it?

First and foremost by using your brain.

 

A lot of propaganda is usually pretty crude and if you think about it for more than a couple of minutes, you should realise that it couldn't possibly be true.

 

And look at the source. Everyone should have a sliding scale of 'trustworthiness' based on experience. If you are being told something about immigration and you are directed to Migrationwatch or the BNP facebook page it is highly likely that the figures are dishonest or misleading. If the figures are from the Office of National Statistics they are much more likely to be accurate although government statistics can always be 'skewed' to look more favourable for that particular department.

 

If the source is a person, again ask what sort of reputation they have. An article by Robert Fisk of the Independent or Ed Vulliamy of the Observer is worth a million articles by Katie Hopkins or Melanie Phillips who both have particular political axes to grind.

 

I know a lot of people describe Channel Four News as being on the left but it is by far the most scrupulous news organisation in the UK today.  They also dig deeper, provide more background information and treat news subjects as ongoing stories rather than a series of throwaway headlines.

 

Use your brain and common sense and you will rarely be mugged off by propaganda.

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9 minutes ago, Top Cats Hat said:

Use your brain and common sense and you will rarely be mugged off by propaganda.

 

You already have an inbuilt bias, the 'facts' that you read can just reinforce that.

Some people say that they don't think socialism works, but look at what happened with the likes of Interserve and Capita, gone bust and the taxpayer picks up the bill.

RBS, gone bust and the taxpayer bailed them out.

We all have a bias, that is much more important than what you read.

Some people have a negative view of Muslims, that colours their view of Shamima Begu, I read that she has dual citizenship, UK and Bangladeshi; maybe totally false. People believe these 'facts' too easily.

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8 hours ago, Waldo said:

I mean, our government and news outlets shoot straight from the hip, right? Right?!

About the BBC, definitely one of "our news outlets"

 

"The BBC has the most brilliant production values, it produces the most extraordinary natural history and drama series, but they have long been the most refined propaganda service in the world . . the BBC is an extension of the established order in this country.  I don’t think that’s even controversial, it just is" ~ John Pilger.

 

 

 

 

Edited by FormerSheff

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1 hour ago, FormerSheff said:

About the BBC, definitely one of "our news outlets"

 

"The BBC has the most brilliant production values, it produces the most extraordinary natural history and drama series, but they have long been the most refined propaganda service in the world . . the BBC is an extension of the established order in this country.  I don’t think that’s even controversial, it just is" ~ John Pilger.

 

 

 

 

No doupt about it.

Glass half full / Grall half empty - both are true but its the outlook of the individual ,  and their own circumstances, that colour their view.

 

Recent headline:-

"In 4/10 businesses the gender pay gap is getting wider." 

 

..and it was only businesses that submitted figures.

..and then was some guff about the way the figures were produced.

 

You could drive a coach and horses through that  bare statement  from the BBC. 

Thats before you say 6/10  businesses are  maintaining, or bettering,   womens position in business.

 

I agree with much good comment about  scrupulous news organisations digging deeper, provide more background information and treating news subjects as ongoing stories rather than a series of throwaway headlines.

 

 

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the bbc gets a lot of stick while the tabloid press print lies blatantly and with seemingly little scrutiny. 

 

 There is no doubt that the brexit campaign used propaganda extensively. The "breaking point" picture, the lies printed on buses etc.

Edited by TimmyR

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8 hours ago, Top Cats Hat said:

Use your brain and common sense and you will rarely be mugged off by propaganda.

Hmmm... :huh:


... I agree!

 

Which is why a lot of us ignore most of the posts on here these days! :roll:

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3 hours ago, FormerSheff said:

About the BBC, definitely one of "our news outlets"

 

"The BBC has the most brilliant production values, it produces the most extraordinary natural history and drama series, but they have long been the most refined propaganda service in the world . . the BBC is an extension of the established order in this country.  I don’t think that’s even controversial, it just is" ~ John Pilger.

 

 

 

 

Who the **** is John Pilger and why should I believe him?

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7 hours ago, FormerSheff said:

About the BBC, definitely one of "our news outlets"

 

"The BBC has the most brilliant production values, it produces the most extraordinary natural history and drama series, but they have long been the most refined propaganda service in the world . . the BBC is an extension of the established order in this country.  I don’t think that’s even controversial, it just is" ~ John Pilger.

That is very true. 

 

Despite often hearing that 'the BBC is a bunch of lefties' from those on the right, the BBC has a nuanced support for the Church of England and the Conservative Party and a much more obvious support of the royal family.

 

That doesn't mean that it isn't capable of good unbalanced reporting on most subjects.

 

 

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17 minutes ago, Top Cats Hat said:

That is very true. 

 

Despite often hearing that 'the BBC is a bunch of lefties' from those on the right, the BBC has a nuanced support for the Church of England and the Conservative Party and a much more obvious support of the royal family.

 

That doesn't mean that it isn't capable of good unbalanced reporting on most subjects.

 

 

Hmmm... :huh:


... really? :suspect:

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21 minutes ago, Mr Bloke said:

Hmmm... :huh:


... really? :suspect:

Have you never watched Newsnight, The Sunday Politics, Horizon, a ton of documentaries on BBC Four and that recent three part series on Cameron and the EU?

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