Propaganda, censorship and privacy

Lippmann associates propaganda with censorship and privacy in the sense that information access depending on a specific event is regulated in an attempt to disseminate only information relevant to their objective (Lippmann). Censorship oversees the information available to the public and controls what the public does not need to know. Maintaining the right or privilege to particular information results in privacy. All of these components work together to generate propaganda related to the accomplishment of the concerned party’s plan and aim.

In the actual world, privacy and censorship are often practiced, but under dubious conditions.  Information that should be shared is not shared and vice versa. Privacy and censorship have been implemented to local government initiatives that do not conform to the approval ratings of residents in the area. Another instance is the censorship and privacy of information regarding critical research on human subjects; this raises concern in the manner in which the research is carried out and its end effect to those involved. I agree with the notion that the public should not have access to all information, despite the fact that this information should be accessed by concerned parties that need to make a decision based on the current information. Information that deals with military strategies should be censored for the public as its access may make them vulnerable to attack.

Social sets in which different people are based in, depending on their mode of occupation or economic status affect the nature of the information that surrounds them. Apart from this, information utilizes different personnel, technology, and transportation systems to disperse information. These systems are integrated, and a lag in one will lead to the slow circulation of ideas. If all other factors remain okay and constant, the flow of ideas is dependent on the recipient’s interest and social circle.

Our acquaintances similarly align our thoughts as theirs, this is because each wants to be part of a society and feel accepted. In such a manner, the individual ends up transforming his/her pattern of reasoning or forming judgments to that, which is similar and acceptable to their acquaintances (Lippmann). Apart from that, acquaintances are found within one’s social set and based on the hierarchy of social sets, and each social set looks up to what the higher-level social set is practicing in such a way they align their mode of reasoning and behavior in a reflection of theirs. This notion has not changed fully however it has been modified to incorporate emulation of the reasoning acquainted to leaders within the social groups.

From (Bernays), the writer reflects on the word from a positive perspective, unlike others who are profound to the negativity associated with it, he states that propaganda is a means of sharing one’s beliefs based on a discovered to others with the aim of bringing about a positive change.

The similarity between the two accounts of propaganda is that one it is based on information revelation, in context to the views of a particular group. The second similarity is that propaganda relies on the values or nature of response towards a particular social group; thus, it leads to a predictable outcome of events.

The differences between the two are of Lippmann’s account of propaganda the context and opportunity were based on interests and social status while Bernay’s account it relies on the structure of a social unit such as the nature of Paris to be the hub of fashion (Bernays). Another difference is that Lippmann’s account did not associate propaganda with a lot of positivity as it led people to make biased decisions that they did not know of, while Bernay’s account considered propaganda as the means to which the little in society held a dominant position to address their matters and avoid oppression (Bernays).

The problem of filtering should be addressed with the concern of bringing about diversity, suggested media that has a strong, profound sense to sensitive affiliations should be monitored and widespread, to ensure the recipients also recognizes the view of others minimizing alienation to particular groups. Justice Kennedy raises a significant concern as most of the activities are carried out on an online platform. Chat rooms that are open to all could be enhanced for the concerned parties to address their issues. Apart from that, the government should also utilize social websites as a platform where any citizen raises concern across the board.

References

Bernays, Edward L. “The new propaganda.” Bernays, Edward L. Propaganda. New York: Horace Liver, 1928. 19-31.

Lippmann, Walter. Public opinion. Long Island, 1921.