Propaganda Strategies in Modern Media Discourse: Analysis of Examples from World Practice

Abstract

The purpose of the study is to identify propaganda strategies in foreign media. Conducting the research is due to the fact that in the context of significant changes in the military and political situation in the world in general and around Ukraine, with the beginning of full-scale Russian aggression, propaganda, which is an effective tool for manipulating public opinion, is becoming widely spread in the media space. The media use different propaganda strategies, forming an irrelevant picture of reality. This leads to a decrease in the level of information security of the state, the result of which is the destabilization of the social and political situation, opposition to the adoption of certain state decisions, etc.

Research methodology. The study of propaganda strategies in modern media was based on the media manipulative approach, methods of manipulation of mass consciousness and content analysis. Their application made it possible to identify the main principles of consideration of the problems of propaganda strategies.

The results. In the process of work, it was found that propaganda is the purposeful dissemination of unreliable information with a specific goal. Propaganda is aimed precisely at the human consciousness, because it allows to form clear concepts and images in it. Depending on the orientation, propaganda is divided into external and internal; according to the sphere of distribution – cultural, personal, informational, political; according to the degree of reliability of the information – true, partially true, false; according to the stage of spread – preparatory, active, latent.

Propaganda strategies include lies, decontextualization, disinformation, demonization of the enemy, obfuscation, deliberate obscurity, confusion, labelling, half-truths, repetition, join the crowd, commoners, stereotypes, fear, uncertainty, and doubt. The study states that the main propaganda strategies used in the analyzed media are «common people» and «stereotypes», less so – «join the crowd» and «half-truth».

Novelty. The novelty of the study is that propaganda strategies in foreign media were investigated for the first time. The understanding of the concept of «propaganda» has also been improved, the peculiarities of the functioning of propaganda strategies in foreign media have been investigated.

Practical significance. The practical significance of the research lies in the fact that the obtained results can be applied to journalists, diplomats and politicians when promoting certain ideas and opinions.

Key words: information space, media discourse, mass manipulation, media, propaganda, propaganda strategies.