The Sovereign Voice Issue 5 | Page 103

leaving a million Iraqis dead and millions more displaced as a result. Many war crimes have been documented by international human rights groups. Nations have been swindled and misled by the use of propaganda; its tactics are as simple as they are effective. In the modern age it is nearly impossible to shield yourself from the exposure to propaganda as the misinformation surrounds us on billboards, on television, in newspapers, and on the internet. However, by becoming aware of the fear appeal tactic and choosing not to let it twist your emotions, you can win the first battle being waged for your mind. One powerful solution is to use logic when finding information, and also when choosing which news agencies you listen to. Another is to use your own discernment. Realize that most stories aren’t what they seem, and there is usually an agenda hidden between the lines. A wise man once said “there is a method to the madness,” and this couldn’t be more true in the world of propaganda. end of article sources: The Presentation of “Self ” and “Other” in Nazi Propaganda Mein Kampf by Adolf Hitler United States Holocaust Memorial Museum Council on American-Islamic Relations C-SPAN Transcripts Globalpolicy.org How Democracy Failed by Ellen Switzer Propaganda by Edward Bernays What Makes Mainstream Media Mainstream by Noam Chomsky