Propaganda Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Propaganda - Essay Example Propaganda extends beyond the Machiavellian ‘black’ methods that are often implemented in wartime situations, and includes ‘white’ and ‘grey’ propaganda wherein overtly or subtly stated ideologies are advanced to achieve persuasive means. (Linebarger 1954). One such example of less devious, yet arguably a no less manipulative form of propaganda, is broadcast daily across American television sets – the nightly news. Indeed, recent video leaks of Dan Rather humorously spending five minutes to determine whether to leave his collar up or down for an outside broadcast and Katie Couric mocking then vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin demonstrates both the high levels of aesthetic and ideological manipulation that go into producing the CBS Evening News (Shea 2008). While there are a diverse amount of tacit ideological assumptions that can be identified in both local and national news broadcasts, this essay examines the specific propaganda me chanisms advanced in the July 22nd, 2010 episode of the CBS Evening News News with Katie Couric. Viewers familiar with the CBS Evening News are aware that the show starts with a nightly overview of what will be included in the broadcasts. This specific episode indicates that the broadcast will include: the BP Oil Spill, the Shirley Sherrod incident, an examination of the immigration debate, and a piece on how researchers used twitter to determine the country’s mood. Already in this programming outline a number of ideological assumptions are readily present. While the news is mythologized as existing in an objective vacuum, where relevant content is reported to the public, it’s clear that the format is much more aligned with the dramatic principles required to draw and hold an audience. In this instance, the CBS Evening News includes the most somber, yet startling information first BP Oil Spill. It seems this ultimately has the effect of catching the viewer up on past o ccurrences; for instance, the daily reports on the minutest details of the BP Oil Spill come to represent a sort of daily drama for viewers, with continuity being made from past broadcasts. The plot twist for the night’s broadcast is that a potential storm may sidetrack the clean-up crews. While the information is presented as direct news, its hidden ideological assumptions are clearly that BP hasn’t done enough in aiding the coast, and now they are further failing as may be unable to accomplish their clean-up before the oncoming storm.