If you watch a political documentary and it is of true facts, is this still propaganda?

Question

And if so should I not watch it?

Answer 1

Almost all facts can be turned into propaganda, that doesn't mean that the documentary doesn't have valid points, it just means that it can always be skewed on way or another.

Answer 2

Most documentarys are true facts,the problem is,that they are biased and leave certain items off that would challenged some of those facts,we are heading into an age where whoever controls the airwaves and newspapers,will control the outcome of elections and the way we live,in the end,they are all propaganda to serve their own purpose

Answer 3

Yes. Facts are the best weapon of propagandists, but you have to be aware of the spin. Propaganda isn't always bad. Propaganda is simply the deliberate distribution of information (and misinformation) to influence public opinion. Propaganda was used to help incite the American Revolution, it helped end slavery,(though I don't believe the term 'propaganda' was in common use before the 20th century) and it's used today in anti-smoking ads, and other good causes. Edward Bernays, who wrote the book on propaganda in 1928, believed propaganda was the only thing that could make people come together for common goals in this modern age of liberal freedom and elected gov't. He envisioned political leaders using it for good things, but the Nazi's used his book as the model for their propaganda machine in the 1930's, and it's had a bad reputation ever since.

Answer 4

Documentaries are put together to sway your opinion. even if the facts are true they can leave out facts that mitigate what they are trying to tell you. Then there is Micheal Moore and Algore, they have returned to the Yellow Journalism of the Randolph Hertz era.

Their movies are blatantly one sided. As for watching propaganda, be open minded but know you are not getting the entire picture and never, ever pay good money to be propagandized, that is why I have never seen a MM or AG movie though I have seen clips from them.

If my liberal friends would pay to rent them for me I would watch but I would take it for what it is, pure trash journalism.

Answer 5

all propaganda that is successful is built on facts, but often omits the counter facts, in order to manufacture your consent, facts are not necessarily truth, truth is made of facts of both sides

“If you tell a lie big enough and keep repeating it, people will eventually come to believe it. The lie can be maintained only for such time as the State can shield the people from the political, economic and/or military consequences of the lie. It thus becomes vitally important for the State to use all of its powers to repress dissent, for the truth is the mortal enemy of the lie, and thus by extension, the truth is the greatest enemy of the State.”Joseph Goebbels

Answer 6

Yes, technically any documentary is propaganda. The purpose of documentaries is to present a point-of-view, so there's an inherent bias. Propaganda, in and of itself, is neither 'good' or 'bad'... it's just a perspective or opinion.

Answer 7

There's no harm in watching propoganda -- if you know it's propoganda or are aware of the bias inherent in it -- that just gives you another perspective on what some people are thinking. Just watching it doesn't mean believing it.

And yes, something that is factually true can still be propoganda if its made with a specific agenda and a specific intended goal -- that's the nature of expression, especially in politics.

Answer 8

It depends on the situation. Some of them will have some propaganda in them, but the subject isn't propaganda.

As far as you watching it, I say go for it. Hearing every point of view is important.

Answer 9

If it contains facts, then you should watch it.

The contents are irrelevant. Propaganda is propaganda. It can be the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, but if it's goal is to persuade to one side or another, then it is propaganda.

Sin doth lie in the intent.

Answer 10

Facts are facts. Propaganda refers to the nonsense, half-truths, and lies that are passed off for facts in mainstream media outlets (at least in the US, Britain's media is half-decent, though not ideal). For example, the lies that instigated the Iraq War (and the fact that the media is using the same lies to start an Iran War).