How propaganda is used as a tool to manipulate minds, defame and defeat the opponent: Misusing media to manufacture public opinion

By Shams Ur Rehman Alavi

Propaganda is a big tool and organized propaganda is a mechanism that is used by powerful groups, societies, communities, leaders, rulers, business tycoons and sections, with different aims. 

It is used to weaken an opponent, defeat the adversary or rival. Politics, economics, power and clout, international or national standing, it has an impact on all. 

Certain country or society, race or big group can be blamed or defamed by misuse of media and through negative propaganda. If you constantly relay propaganda, it affects the people..

.. and can even change the opinion of masses. The extent depends on investment in this exercise and the availability of plaint media. Actually, it is such a powerful method that it is used as a tool in statecraft.

If a firm or an entity gets maligned, the reputation is hurt. Similarly, if false news or fake information about a state or a country, a geographical region or a group of people is constantly aired, then it affects both sides. 

People who are blamed, often don't realize that it is not truth, but a planned defamation campaign.  They too start believing and this weakens them. Certain entities and groups have a command over this 'skill' and have mastered the tactics.

Morale can be affected, thoughts can be manipulated and the people may be forced to think about an aspect and take it seriously, though it may not have much truth in reality.

Planned and organized propaganda is used to show a side as progressive, strong and noble or a side as weak, regressive, bad and evil. The constant barrage of misinformation, affects minds. 

Along with media, rumor mongers and professional propagandists, conspiracy theorists and all sorts of people involved in shady acts or dirty tricks may be 'used' to create a false narrative or a discourse that suits the entity that is funding the project to spread propaganda. 

Often the media that is termed as 'mainstream' is also part of it, due to the corporate interests and media house owners' tilt, greed, interest or pressures. Defaming one and praising other over a long time, does change the balance in society. 

Hence, it is important to understand the propaganda and see how media groups might be involved in such practices. A battle may be won or lost, without being fought on the ground, just because of the negative publicity or rumors. 

If your opponent is constantly involved in negative propaganda against you, it may be wrong but people feel that there must be some truth in the charges. When such misinformation comes from multiple places, people are bound to believe it. 

The reason is that through propaganda, a doubt is created in minds. Then people feel, 'there must be some truth, after all, it is being said again and again. Hence, there must be some element of truth'. Over a long period, it becomes an accepted version.

That's the victory of propaganda. But the side that is involved in it, uses money and funds the propagandists. However, other side may not even have basic media, let alone, hiring PR managers or publicity campaigners. 

Always remember that the entities, groups, nations and firms that have media power and also invest in publicity as well as propaganda, use tactics to conquer & crush their rival. Embedded journalism is just one part of it. 

There are lobbies and companies, which offer their services. The agencies that promote a nation or a race, a geographical region or a religion, for a price. But what about those who have no propaganda, in fact, have no stake in media? Truth won't matter. You get defamed &'defeated'.

I may sound 'repetitive' but it must be repeated as it needs to be understood--Drilled in mind! Professional propagandists act with a purpose. They keep circulating falsehood, wild and fake information. But they keep doing it. 

Hence, some people do fall for it and a section feels that there must be some reality, as 'many' are talking about it. That's how propaganda works to some extent. Every society or group has a mechanism to 'say' certain things and has particular aims. Hence, they ensure that they have their media machinery apart from propagandists.

They do their job and even if they don't get success, they manage to create a perception for a section of their own people and a section of others too. The aims could be unethical or nefarious but the world is harsh and the fittest has to use multiple ways to keep self, ahead, while stopping a prospective rival.

The point is that others do and it is not about ethics alone, as propaganda is always part of statecraft. Real point is that do you have own media machinery, its multiple wings or your own propaganda to tackle the professional propagandists of the other side?

Targeting a group or community is rulers' ace strategy to divide masses, turn majority hateful towards minority: Divided society stops asking questions from rulers, US to UK same mindset

Targeting a minority group or any social group is a sure-shot way for ruling party or a ruler to remain in powerful. As society gets divided on religions or racist lines, they are no longer united.

The people see the other groups of same society as 'enemy'. The jealousy, the anger, constant hatred makes them feel that the other group is getting more dominating. They keep comparing and get obsessed. When the society is not united and get addicted to fanaticism or bigotry, they forget asking questions that need to be asked from the government. 

Either America or Britain, both countries are witnessing the same situation. 'Immigrant' or 'Immigration' i.e. race and religion have emerged as key factors in this game. Interests of individual communities are seen, not the entire society and country. 

The fear, scare, propaganda ensures that people remain trapped and are ready to compromise their future due to the narrow mindset and the brainwashing, apart from poisonous views and prejudices spread by media. 

The owners of social media platforms are racist or bigot, having tilt towards right-wing, then you can imagine how easily a narrative can be spread even in countries like United States and England [Britain]. When society is divided, they no longer fix responsibility of leaders and go with the wave. 

Rulers love it when they are not held accountable and the public is more interested in hateful agenda, rather than questioning the ruling class. A few points below to understand how this madness starts and reaches the level of extreme hatred among groups in a society.

1. In many regions, a tried & tested formula is to 'identify' a few smaller groups and be in constant attacking mode against them--blaming them and spreading propaganda against them. 

2. Certain individuals would emerge and repeat lies about the minority group, weave stories and generalize, demonize the latter. More people will start believing it, due to social media.

3. Also, the minorities would be blamed for any and every damn reason, otherized and hated. It gives the local majority and its people a 'reason to live for' & it works as the 'majority' never likes to introspect or take blame for its own failures. 

4. Majority is powerful and owns most of the local, traditional as well as new media. Hence, the prejudiced views against Black or Muslim, Arab or South Asian, African or any group with a different homeland or religion, will go 'mainstream' with ease. Believe it, accept it, as 'everyone' is saying it.

5. The politicians, too, like such rhetoric. It's a majoritarian mindset and the discourse actually borders on fascism as well as fueling bigotry and discrimination.

6. In coming days, I will give examples with data to explain how this happens and how deluded the people can become, in a short span of time. 

7. Hate, xenophobia, racism, worst emotions are directed at certain group of people and in short-term it does unite locals, a section that indeed feels insecure. 

8. Long-term, it damages the country and its society, economy, even those who felt that they were going to benefit and had gained prominence by raising these issues.

9. Offense is the best defense? We have heard and known this sentence, a lot. But, in the last few decades, this phrase has acquired a totally different meaning.

10. It is used as a strategy to deny rights to people, perpetrate injustices and is used as propaganda to create a narrative that completely brainwashes people. 

11. The vast majority starts to feel besieged, gets obsessed with vague ideas and weird fear about future. When a group is identified, it becomes easy for leaders to manipulate public. 

12. If there is any issue and government wants to divert public attention, they have the perfect alternative. They know how public can be made to focus on another issue. They had identified one group earlier, this time other group and next time yet another group. 

Just make your 'influencers' go out and start blaming any section. Media will amplify the hate and all main issues will be forgotten. Governments love such societies that have more interest in hating each other, rather, than asking questions about corruption, huge money transfers, illegal actions and siphoning off funds or other corrupt practices. Who wants jobs or healthcare? Society enjoys the feeling of power when it targets a section. Petty.

This method and the system is replicated again and again, region after region, country after country as people do have a tendency to fall for conspiracy theories.

[Shams Ur Rehman Alavi]

The Towns Of Awadh: Qasbahs in Uttar Pradesh's central region depicted in bilingual Urdu, English map

Shams Ur Rehman Alavi

This is a map that shows the qasbahs or historically important towns in Awadh region of Uttar Pradesh. In the traditional sense, the town were no a city but important place, a step above the rural place, apart from its own uniqueness.

Most towns in and around Lucknow developed in medieval era and later. They evolved as centres of learning too. The qasbahs of Awadh were hubs of knowledge and literature apart from business and were seen as important places for hundreds of villages in vicinity. 

Clans and powerful families settled here to lead their life in an environment they could create and change, away from the big cities that were over populated and also had a fast, crazy life. Most of these qashabs or towns carried the old world charm, a tinge of modern world as well as scent of rural India. 

Often, the families that had Qazis, Muftis, military men, land owning families or litterateurs, didn't want involvement in the politics and palace intrigues or sectarian issues other than politics of the court in the capital during the era of a Nawab or a Raja, and preferred to stay away in a town where they stayed in lush green environment and could have a much relaxed and enjoyable life.

The qasbahs were not just hub of Urdu poetry and literature but also had their own economy. One place was known for a fruit, other for cultivation of a particular crop, yet another for lac work or handicraft, unique sweets or a particular handicraft. 

READ: Qasbahs of Awadh, satellite towns of Lucknow, that protected its culture

This is a basic map of towns or Qasbahs in Awadh region of Uttar Pradesh in Urdu, for geography students and map enthusiasts. It is purely non-commercial and for mere representational purpose. Just for educational purpose.

The aim is that children, particularly, Urdu speakers and the students in Urdu medium schools in rest of the country, are able to identify places, their names, location, distance from state capital, and seek information. 

Apart from towns, the boundaries and the names are visible. Urdu is one of the two state languages of Uttar Pradesh, along with Hindi. Hence, there is need for map too. One, often finds that there is a lack of maps in Urdu. 

Hence, we are putting up the maps on the internet. This map is just for illustrative and representational purpose. The figure is not to scale and does not claim to represent geographical boundaries.

READ: District map of Uttar Pradesh in Urdu for educational purpose

This map mostly shows the towns in Lucknow district and around. As you can read the names--Atrauli, Sandila, Haiderabad, Kursi, Behta, Dewa, Jaggaur, Satrikh, Maal, Jindaur, Haiderganj, ITaunja, Amethi, Kakori, Nagram, Kakori, Mohaan, Malihabad and others. 

In Western UP and other regions too, towns were prominent and had a bustling life. From Nehtaur in the western part of Uttar Pradesh to Bilgram in Awadh, prominent personalities in diverse fields emerged from the qasbahs of north India. 

How one becomes prisoner of identity: Fixed social identity that turns man towards hate and rivalry with other sections

Shams Ur Rehman Alavi

One's social identity is a result of multiple factors. But, a man often views self [and is seen by others too] as representative of a strong & fixed social identity.

This identity that's either inherited, worn, chosen or thrust, is lifelong & the person often considers himself in a particular segment though he may be at the same time, part of many other circles, but he doesn't realize or doesn't want to accept.

Even in same religion and region, I see how followers of sects and sub-sects, behave and look at each other with animosity, though at times what they claim about self is absolutely against the core principles of that sect too.

It's just because of geographical location, family or clan, that a particular thought about the crafted identity emerges and it is so hard, inflexible that everything else is ignored. 

Decades pass and the person passionately carries this sense of identity, often like mobsters' groups. Battles are fought in the minds and the passion to be standing against others, keeps man going with the wind. 

Do we honestly stand for our identity without hurting others? Is our aim just to have certain respectability and gain acceptance in a little or local circle to boost own ego. Clearly, there is also an element of hope in terms of 'validation'.

Locally, when one is part of any group, the adherence to its ideology is the binding factor. The group now needs the fear of other group(s) or talk about growth of the 'other', to keep its members remain united and be actively supporting own group.

The radicalism as seen among right-wing groups of different sections, is a manifestation of this tendency. In South Asia, it is increasingly become an issue as the suspicion of the 'other'--any group that is not seen as 'mainstream', is used to motivate cadre to spread hatred against them.

Or fight is for a greater cause of overall public good or it is a collective narcissism of groups and their friction and due to petty rivalries, jealousies & existing tendencies of groupism among the humans...? 

If level of mistrust towards other group and this communalism or level of hate remains up, the youth will keep joining you to feel the sense of strength.

This is an established method to gain members and keep them in your grip. In 1980s, separate right-wing groups were formed and they kept on growing--starting with cow vigilantism to attacks.

Then, they targeted 'Western values' and celebration of St Valentine's Day. The level kept rising with each generation and then the mobs took law in own hands and fanatic wings became 'mainstream'.

So much that media started referring to them as 'fighters for the religion' or as 'guardians of cows' and 'defenders of the faith'. That's how democratic setup was hijacked from within.