Joseph Goebbels , a member of the National Socialist German Workers' Party and Minister of Propaganda, is credited with being the brains of Germany's information warfare during World War II.
Joseph Goebbels
Joseph Goebbels was successful in disseminating and promoting information and a positive image of Hitler, his army and his party, from his speeches and speeches to the production of propaganda materials. But did you know that Joseph Goebbels had 19 principles of propaganda?
Goebbels giving a speech to a crowd
These principles can also be applied to modern-day psychological warfare. Let's take a look at what his 19 principles are.
- Propagandists must have access to information about events and public opinion.
- Propaganda must be directed, planned and commanded by one person only.
- In planning any action, the consequences of that propaganda must also be taken into account.
- Propaganda must influence the enemy in both policy and operations.
- Unclassified information and operational data must be accessible for use in propaganda campaigns.
- In order for propaganda to be heard, it must be interesting to the recipient and must be conveyed through the media of the recipient's choice (print, radio, etc., depending on the era).
- “Credibility” will be the only indicator of whether the outcome of a propaganda message should be “true” or “false” (in the eyes of the receiver).
- The purpose, content and effectiveness of the enemy's propaganda; the effectiveness and spread and nature of the propaganda campaign being conducted will determine whether the enemy's propaganda should be "ignored" or "countered".
- The credibility, information and potential outcome of a communication will determine whether the “content” used as propaganda should be censored.
- The “content” of enemy propaganda can be used to degrade the enemy or to support one’s own propaganda to achieve its intended objectives.
- “Black is better than white.” Black propaganda should only be used when the propaganda message becomes less credible or produces unexpected results based on the presentation.
- A leader with a dignified personality (credibility/respectability) may be used as propaganda material.
- Propaganda must be timed carefully.
- Propaganda must identify events and people along with a distinctive and unique slogan or quote.
- Propaganda conveyed to home audiences must not create false hopes that may be destroyed by future events.
- Propaganda must create the right amount of anxiety.
- Propaganda conveyed to home audiences must be able to reduce the impact of frustration.
- Propaganda must induce aggression against the target in order to incite hatred.
- Propaganda cannot have an immediate response, but it can have other effects, be a distraction, or both.