Introduction to the Research Handbook on Political Propaganda

Abstract

Propaganda remains a powerful source of influence, and this collection of essays demonstrates that propaganda continues to evolve as new communication technologies and practices emerge and develop. These new communication technologies have diversified communicative practices and democratised the production and distribution of political propaganda, thus broadening the range of 'the messengers' beyond the states and other political institutions. For messengers more democratised access to the 'message' production and distribution machinery means fragmented power over their audiences' opinions and behaviours, but they will always seek control over public opinion. For audiences the accelerating volume of propaganda cloaked among news items and social media content means a crisis of trust in in the veracity of information and its sources. This requires a greater awareness of media literacy and new critical thinking skills to differentiate fact from opinion, and it identify 'alternative facts'.