Propaganda

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There is more information available on this subject atPropaganda on theEnglish Wikipedia.

Benjamin Giraud working to propagandise a battle scene.

Benjamin Giraud doctoring his war photography for propaganda purposes.

Propaganda is any information which is disseminated for the purpose of influencing an audience in order to further a cause or agenda. Propaganda frequently selectively presents facts, half-truths, and lies, and is often emotionally charged. In form and content, propaganda can vary widely. It can range from simple slogans to sophisticated media such as visual arts, books, movies, and the like. It usually comprises signs and symbols which seek to simplify issues and remove nuances. Propaganda may be produced by governments as well as activist groups, religious organizations, corporations, the media, and other individual interests. Propaganda is especially common inwartime, and may constitute part ofpsychological warfare.

Human propaganda[edit]

Propaganda plays a prominent role in theUnited Nations Space Command. UNSC propaganda is primarily meant to support the policies of theUnified Earth Government and increase recruitment for theUnited Nations Space Command armed forces. In2164, during theInterplanetary War, propaganda tactics helped to strongly bolster the nascent UNSC forces.^[1] Propaganda was also a common part of the environment of theCorbulo Academy of Military Science.^[2] Propaganda could be found on UNSC ships^[3] and atUNSC recruiting centers.^[4] UNSC propaganda presented theEpsilon Indi system as the farthest-flung system inhuman controlled space.^[5] This reliance on propaganda could have its detriments, however; for example, prior to theBattle of Bliss in2526 mostOuter Colonies leaders dismissed theCovenant threat as merely propaganda.^[6]

TheOffice of Naval Intelligence produces large amounts of propaganda.ONI Section Two is responsible for external communication and public morale, a role which in practice involves the creation and spread of propaganda.^[7] This includes overseeing the doctoring of war photography.^[8] Much of its propaganda was designed to preserve the fiction that UNSC forces were holding their own against the Covenant.^[9] One of its most notable propaganda exercises wasONI Directive 930, which mandated that allSPARTAN-II soldiers be listed asmissing in action orwounded in action rather thankilled in action.^[10] Legends which grew around theORION Project supersoldiers followingOperation: CHARLEMAGNE were utilized for ONI propaganda in the following decades.^[11] Similarly, the exploits of the SPARTAN-II supersoldiers were publicized in an effort to improve morale.^[12] The victories of Vice AdmiralPreston Cole were also used for propaganda purposes.^[13]^[14] ONI propaganda stated that the UNSC won theBattle of Ballast.^[15]

History[edit]

During theBattle of Mombasa in2552,Secretary of Defense Paul Huphy Russel andMinister of Information David Dockmaster Dunn both released propagandamessages for the citizens ofNew Mombasa.^[16] Public service announcerStephen also broadcast propaganda fromNMPD headquarters during the battle.^[17]

According toPetra Janecek, thePress Corps is synonymous with the dissemination of propaganda.^[18] JournalistBenjamin Giraud was contracted in2558 by ONI to create a propaganda piece onJohn-117; however, this effort ultimately backfired after Giraud began to uncover the truth of John's origins.^[19]

Insurrectionists are known to use propaganda.Serin Osman initially thought that thebombing of Far Isle was rebel propaganda before she read the relevant file.^[20] During theDraco III rebellion in2554,ODST squadAlpha-Nine was ordered to avoid damaging the city ofNew Albany lest its destruction be used as anti-UEG propaganda.^[21]

Following theHuman-Covenant War, the groupSapien Sunrise spread propaganda opposing the 2558Sangheili peace talks lead byRichard Sekibo.^[22] In2553,Forerunner ancilla Intrepid Eye established and controlled several propaganda outlets in an effort to prepare humanity to assume theMantle.^[23]

Covenant propaganda[edit]

The Covenant makes use of propaganda. For example, they have broadcast threats to intimidate the UNSC.^[24]^[25] The sermons of theProphet of Truth andProphet of Regret also served as propaganda to inspire their troops.^[26]^[27]Voridus originally dismissed stories of theFlood as Covenant Propaganda.^[28]

Banished propaganda[edit]

During theBattle for Zeta Halo, theBanished set up numerousPropaganda towers onInstallation 07. These towers were manned by anUnggoy communications officer namedGlibnub, who delivered taunting and demoralizing messages to the surviving UNSC personnel on the ring. Occasionally the Unggoy officer would slip up and use the towers to voice personal complaints.