Propaganda techniques - Part I
I have been accused of over sensationalising the issues of this coup in this country by "anonymous" along with writing like a teenager. Thank you for your comments, please email me so we can discuss this further.
I write in my own "teenage" fashion to help expose the Propaganda techniques used by the Illegal Military Regime to make their presence in this country more "acceptable". As we all know in Fiji, once it becomes "acceptable" it's almost certain they'll be here to stay.
If you need an explanation in propaganda, read this article from a fellow blogger.
Bear with me as I uncover the techniques of propaganda being used against us the people of Fiji by this illegal military regime!
1/ Bait n Switch:
This technique is a two phase one - Bait the people in with an attractive positive sounding idea or scheme, then once they've been reeled in, switch your approach with the real meaning - one that usually won't be acceptable to them in the first place if they knew what it was all about!
- Bait:2 year Pre-coup campaign to clean up government, all for anti-corruption with constant public statements by military commander on political issues (remember when he was telling the people of Fiji NOT to vote SDL back in power?), allegations of "massive corruption in government", allegations of "corrupt practices". A big sell to the public using media to voice out anti-corruption agenda with the key sell of minimum disruption to the people - "Won't take long", "peaceful transition", "bloodless coup", "interest of national security".
- Switch: After December 5 takeover illegal military regime loads the media with emphasis on "roadmap to democracy" with a first 2 year timeframe and then a 3 year timeframe (they miscalculated the ammount of money required to pay off bad debt?).
Gone are the "peaceful transition" statements 3 month later, what ever happened to "bloodless coup" ?
And more importantly, the illegal military regime have NO PROOF to show for their allegations of corruption that link SDL government to any shady dealings. They have nothing to show for their claims, but instead cement themselves into the illegal administration as "Interim" Ministers, Judiciary, Prisons, FNPF, FIRCA, and other bodies relevant to their cause. [read this article for further clarification]
"But the most brilliant propagandist technique will yield no success unless one fundamental principle is borne in mind constantly and with unflagging attention. It must confine itself to a few points and repeat them over and over."
Adolf Hitler, Mein Kampf, p. 184
Adolf Hitler, Mein Kampf, p. 184
"The purpose of propaganda is not to provide interesting distraction for blasé young gentlemen, but to convince the masses. But the masses are slow moving, and they always require a certain time before they are ready even to notice a thing, and only after the simplest ideas are repeated thousands of times will the masses finally remember them."
Adolf Hitler, Mein Kampf, p. 185
Adolf Hitler, Mein Kampf, p. 185
The illegal military regime's repetition of "move fiji forward", "peace and stability", "unknown elements", "roadmap to ..." , "anti corruption", "lesser of two evils", "law and order", "interest of national security", "protect the people of Fiji" has been repeated over and over again as much as "ahhh" has been in a certain spokesperson's interviews! This is based on the simple fundamental principle of repetition and how it affects a human's automatic perception of the truth. Hitler's words quoted above show how vulnerable the masses are to this sort of thing. What you need to do is ask yourself the question -
- Are the propaganda phrases becoming acceptable or more acceptable to you then they were in December?
"If a lie is repeated enough times, it would become widely accepted as the truth."
Joseph Goebbels, Hitler's Minister of Propaganda
3/ Using Celebrities:
In a Fiji Village article Bainimarama states publicly that he "understands that" the 7s team has prepared well, "he'd like them to know" that the people of fiji are behind them...
He is trying to make it sound like he's speaking on behalf of all of us - you and me! And in mentioning his well wishes for Serevi and team he's trying to make it appear that Serevi's on his side! Even though we know that Serevi isn't political and prefers not to comment on the situation - as further confirmed by another "anonymous"! This example can also be used in the "Transference" technique. I'll cover that later in Part II.
This is a common technique and it has failed them in the past - Dr Nandan's endorsement of Bainimarama , "Shyster" Shameem's endorsement of the Dec 05 events, Transparency International's sudden activity against corruption, Leweni's speeches about human rights, civil rights and military investigations to name a few.
Don't let this work on you! Be aware of the work that they are doing to quietly manipulate your thoughts into accepting Bainimarama as your spokesperson. Or Leweni. Or Driti.
4/ Vagueness:
The vagueness of their claims and allegations of corruption and corrupt practices by the SDL led government that led to "corrupt practices being accepted as the normal way to do business in Fiji" have no standing in any court of law because of one important factor - NO PROOF! These people have violated the fundamental rule of law - innocent until proven guilty - and have tried their very best to convince us that they're right in their allegations.
Before the coup, VB was hurling accusations left right and center about known elements in government who were perpertrators of the 2000 Coup - Yet since the coup NO ONE HAS BEEN BROUGHT TO JUSTICE for this! (what justice?). To this date NO ONE HAS BEEN BROUGHT BEFORE THE COURT FOR CORRUPT PRACTICES - Not one person in SDL or the SDL Government!
To further prove my point, they have raided SDL offices, even Pacific Connex offices and have "obtained more evidence" according to their mayjahhh Lewenski, but nothing has been compiled in a court of law - Don't you think that since they now own the courts, they'd be the first to show us the proof they have if any?????
It only follows that as they had no proof, still have no proof, and didn't look like they were able to obtain any proof at all - they set up their own "Anti Corruption Unit" to pry into the affairs of all citizens on the allegations of corruption.
This Unit duplicates the function of the Auditor General's Office, Economic Crime Unit (Police), Ministry of Home Affairs (Intelligence gathering, case compliation of national security issues) and if their bill is passed in Parliament - this Unit will be given the right to take apart our civil rights all based on a single allegation!!! Watch this space for more on this Unit's promised power!
What do you have to do to earn their interest? Anyone can complain about you (with or without proof) and they will earmark you based on your $$$$ income and how much they can use this in the media to justify their initial allegations of "Corrupt Practices" of the SDL led government. Even if you're not part of Government, they'll try to find a tie in back to Govt- either through Immigration puppet, or some FTIB screw up!
5/ Plain Folks:
This technique is to use ordinary folks and make it appear that they the illegal military regime is made up of ordinary citizens like YOU and ME.
This technique has been used since January with regular articles in the Fiji Times and other newspapers on members of the illegal regime who pose and appear as ordinary folks making it big "for the people of Fiji". Note that these articles in no way talk about the horrors of the illegal military regime, but make it appear that this "plain folk" is just like you and me. The best examples are those of failed politicians of the NAPF that have appeared in the Fiji Times. These articles do not talk about how these people were NOT voted in by their own people! It doesn't talk about how these people's ideas for their interim "ministries" are NOT sanctioned by the people of Fiji!! It certainly doesn't talk about what these "ordinary" folks have to say about the murders and beatings done by their boss!
Don't believe me? Watch this weekend's dailies for such articles as those that appeared in previous dailies - [1], [2] and tell me i'm wrong (this is one case where i'm hoping i'm wrong). they'll probably just shift the dates of publication.
*--*
Therein lies today's lesson on propaganda techniques utilised by this illegal military regime in their attempt to justify their illegal coup and reason for existence!
Please feel free to educate me also on the matter or even better - share your experience on the subject with me and we can discuss how to better present this to the masses.
There are a few other items that may need to be written up, so don't worry - Part II coming out soon with more techniques and how this illegal military regime is using it against us the people of Fiji.
Don't let them get the better of you!
11 comments:
Sa ogaoga o iko! I just can't see why you would waste your valuable time responding to that goon anonymous's "teenager" comment not just once but twice.
Anyone with some grey matter can see how much effort you have put into researching your subject matter and presenting it - complex, abstract concepts and all- in such a logical, therefore persuasive exposition . Not everybody has the skills to do that, least of all your average teenager just bent on sensationalising issues... and (no offence to you child prodigies out there) your average teeanger does not read Mein Kamf nor does he/she have the extensive and intensive in-depth understanding of global historical and current issues that your writing has revealed.
The fact that simpletons like myself can understand what you're saying and even simpler idiots like that anon could be duped into thinking that you're a (silly) teenager shows your brilliance... and his (and others like him) stupidity!!
Your time...if you don't mind my saying so...would be much better spent sharing with us your pearls of wisdom... I hunger for them all the time.... Great, great work! Vinaka vaka levu sara!
Well said ! I congratulate you on your clarity in these matters -- you make it easier for us to see through the rubbish this junta is putting out. Vinaka.
Your reference to Mein Kampf and the usage of the propaganda machine is not confined to Fiji's current coup makers. These are devices used by aspiring leaders (honorable or otherwise)throughout history, but perhaps the honor of being the best of the propagandists goes to Goebbels and you do honor him by quoting his now oft-repeated line or lie, if you are pure of heart and mind.
One recent application of this was the justification for the invasion of Iraq by the US government who managed to convince the US people and then the rest of the world that Saddam had weapons of mass destruction. So, there you go.
Nice writing but.
joestrax has made a good point in that these methods are often used in this world of ours - from sales and marketing organisations to politicians and major power players.
The Bush example is prob the best one yet that draws a lot of parallel to what we're going thru and what could happen - electronic voting.
If I were to open that door of comparison, i feel it would distract people from the current events and situation on the ground here in Fiji.
Thanks joestrax for clarifying that these points are used by a lot of people for reasons honourable or otherwise.
Bai ni vore: The whole idea of the "need" for electronic voter registration is indeed a smoke screenof the highest order. For a start - what do they mean by that - simply an electronic means of registering voters so as to compile the electoral role OR something more substantial (e.g. 'electronic voting"), both of which are not a necessity. Firstly we're talking of a population of less than 1 milion, secondly, in terms of technology, the concept is not that complex, and thirdly there are existing systems that I am sure those willing to assist Fiji would be happy to help with - it is simply not in the junt's interests to speed up the process.
That is ALSO evident by the fact that there is NO reason why this and other elements of the "roadmap to Democracy" cannot run concurrently - indeed there would be some reasons why it'd be easier to run them that way.
"Moving in the Right Direction" is an aptly titled publication - check out www.politicalcompass.org One might be tempted to consider that the junta is so far right, and authoritarian that it puts many facists in history to shame.
I note too that MC et al are proposing corporatising basic infrastructure (i.e. those that are natural monopolies - a first step to privatising them? selling the monoplies that Fijians, no matter how good or bad the infrastructure is, have built up and paid for over time).
Could be appropriate - might be that everyone will be having to literally spend a penny just in time for the junta's elections.
I suppose the Natadola mess; is propoganda according the logic of the article.
Great writing i would love to see your stuff in the main stream media, maybe then the silent majority would not be so silent and this power hungry IG would be looking at the end of their regime.
absolute power corrupts absolutely.
keep up the good writing and the good fight
Another of the techniques used appears to be in the use of selective reporting, either through the use of press releases that many lazy 'mainstream journalsts' simply rely on, and/or those engaged in 'self-censorship'. Contrast the comments made by Don McKinnon reported which were an attempt at engagement with those NOW reported - a consequence of any lack of a will to engage in comprimise by the junta. Mckinnon says: Commonwealth membership under threat (i.e. termination rather than suspension) should there be no clearly defined timeframe (and obviously one acceptable to the club; McKinnon says: too many people have ended up at the army barracks because of their views.
He also says human rights abuse here remain un-reported because of self-censorship by the media.
I note another interesting phenomenon from this junta: an expectation that everyone should engage on THEIR terms, yet a total lack of concern (at least reported by the media) for the poor bastards in the Solomons after a Tsunami. Are they waiting for the international parachute journos to descend before they show the same civility MSG has shown them? Maybe that is a little harsh given Fiji's own recent flooding but I note that there is not even any sign of solidarity. The junta has a take, take I'll do it MY way mentality.
Finally.....update to previous (April 2 2.26pm) Tik tok tik tok tik tok........ a magnanimous gesture of solidarity to the Solomons by the the 95% leader. (2 days later). An obvious sign of genuine, heartfelt concern (NOT).
Frank: you are an embarassment to the people and spirit of Fiji and Fijians
How many more techniques are out there?
I've been applying these ones to what I've been reading in the dailies and it's actually frightening to see that
- this is true
- this regime believes that our people are gullible enough to fall for it. if they're right, heck we're in trouble.
hi bai ni vore, i got your link from your post in RFC. i must say this is a great blog that you have here. if only we could have it translated in Fijian then printed and sent to the interior villages of Fiji. And of couse the cities, but that shouldnt be hard. just print in english and late one night just leave a few (alot) at the bus stands, high schools, and just everywhere. that would be a start in the roll of information against the IG. good luck. :)....hhhmm. ok maybe that would be hard. but still, good luck.
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