Propaganda

As we near the end of week 1 of the official election campaign, I thought I might address some of the "information" that is given out at the election time.

I am not a supporter or sponsor of any major party but I was taken back by this cover on the Daily Telegraph on Monday's paper, the day after the election date was announced.

(image from the Australian newpaper 7.8.13)

The shock came from the very one-sided view this major newspaper was communicating and how it was influencing its readers to vote. It is very in-your-face and aggressive in its opinion.

I am glad that I was not the only one. This FB campaign has started, saying we should complain when the "information pamphlets" cross the line.

I would be interested to hear what others have seen and heard on the campaign trail so far.

This type of propaganda has to make you realize that we, as voters, need to be really discerning with what messages we allow ourselves to read and believe. The media is not a neutral medium that is just providing information. After this came out there have been many articles about the political agenda of a certain media owner.  (see here and here)

I actually see parallels with the communist propaganda posters of the former USSR and of China. The way that posters and other media was and is used to control the masses and to make a large number of people conform to a socialist way of thinking. There is good and bad socialist undertakings (public health is an example is good). But, at all points, discernment is required.

Love to know your thoughts on the election propaganda (or of socialism in Australia)

Thought this was an interesting way to fight back: