Points:
(1) Introduction—importance of propaganda
(2) Propaganda and modern political life
(3) Propaganda and commercial life
ADVERTISEMENTS:
(4) Propaganda and social life
(5) Conclusion.
Essay
Propaganda is the breath of modern life. In almost all spheres of our hectic life, we feel the necessity of propaganda and advertisement. Nothing seems to be within reach of achievement without the aid of propaganda. Only those who can shout from the house tops are able to catch attention and come in limelight. Those who make the loudest noise about themselves and their wares are successful in stealing a march over other people who do not seek the aid of the mighty weapon of success in modern life.
Image Source: prospectmx.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/bigstock-Publicity-Arrows-Hit-in-Red-65986765-1024×768.jpg
ADVERTISEMENTS:
The importance of propaganda in modern life can be understood properly by examining its utility in various spheres of our political, economic, social and literary life. In the field of politics, propaganda plays a very important part. Both in Democracy and Dictatorship, propaganda has the highest value. It performs a significant role in shaping the political life of a country. In democracy, the popularity of the leaders has to be kept up by making propaganda in their favour by their secretaries and the press correspondents. The ordinary speeches of democratic leaders are reported in commendable words and their visits to famine stricken areas applauded by the press. The ignorant public is easily duped by these press reports. Propaganda at least gives long distance popularity to the leaders of democracy. In Dictatorship, propaganda through the press keeps the dictator poised high in the seat of authority. Good deal of propaganda is carried on the favor of dictator by the propaganda minister and the dictator is made to appear as the incarnation of God on earth. Hitler and Mussolini could keep up their position of domination in Germany and Italy because of the great propaganda made in their favour by Dr. Gobbles.
The efficiency of propaganda is no less prominent in commercial life. The success of all big commercial and industrial enterprises depends upon propaganda. The greater the propaganda is made in favour of the products of one factory or mill, the greater will be the possibility of its success. As a result Of continued propaganda, a particular commodity captures the public eye, and then less propaganda is needed for its sale. We are familiar with Lipton Tea, Brooke Bond Tea. We purchase the packets and boxes bearing these labels, because by wide propaganda and advertisement it has been percolated through public mind that these brand give us the best type of tea. Today, even if a better quality of tea is brought forth by some company, it is not likely to sold in comparison to Lipton’ tea because the new brand has to establish its position in the market through advertisement and propaganda. The same applies to numerous other commodities like radios, television, sarees, medicines and the like.
Propaganda plays very important part in the social field. In order to eradicate social evils, it is necessary for us to make propaganda against their baneful effects, and carry our message to the masses. The evil of purdah, widow’s conditions, dowery, child marriages could partially be removed because good deal of spade-work has been done through propaganda by reformers. Thus public was prepared for the reception of these reforms, and propaganda against these evils could help in bringing about reforms in our social life.
All economic plans and schemes started by government and public bodies can achieve success and popularity if propaganda is made in their favour by the publicity officers of the Government or Press. Five Year Plans and schemes of Community Projects in India could be made appealing to the people because through press, broadcast and platform good deal of propaganda was done in their favour.
ADVERTISEMENTS:
The instruments of propaganda in modern life are many. Propaganda is carried through (1) The Press, (2) Television, (3) Radiobroadcast, (4)Cinema, (5) Speeches, and (6) Literary productions. The press is a very powerful instrument of propaganda in our time. Through the columns of the press propaganda both for and against anything in our life can be carried on. The ‘Blitz’ carried on propaganda against Congress and Americanism in the world. ‘The Pioneer’ make propaganda for Zamirdars and ‘Hindustan Times’ and ‘”National Herald’ work for the Congress. Through newspapers propaganda of various types is successfully carried on in modern times. Radio and TV also play a significant role. Through the Radio, particularly Cyelon Radio and Vividh Bharti in India as well as a good deal of propaganda is made for watches, tea, films, clothes and many commercial articles. Pakistan Radio carries good deal of propaganda. In fact in all countries radio and TV are made for propaganda. Foreign broadcasts primarily aim at propaganda, and they are broadcast in all languages from London, Moscow, Delhi, Paris and Berlin. Besides these two cinema pictures provide fine scope for propaganda. There are numerous propaganda pictures.
Propaganda is necessary for our life. There is no harm if propaganda is made on sound lines. If there is truth behind propaganda, there is no harm. But the evil creeps in when false propaganda based on lies is made out by interested parties and the public is duped by the false facts which are paraded as truth in the propaganda market.