1.  Education vs Propaganda -- the blurry line (AP 31)

• is it a difference in values

• or hidden/deceptive motive (hiding your persuasive purpose)

• or unethical practice ??

2.  What is News?  (AP 32)   [Note the Nazi's and 1st Amendment implications ]

• News is selected items

• It is entertainment 1st (action orientation, vivid images dominate)

• “Beats” are regularly covered so story types are routine (e.g. celebrity news)

• A riot is news; a non-riot is not -- U of Texas efforts that prevented a riot (the protest was allowed and police cooperated) was not on national news.

• Visuals matter, thus persuaders use dramatic staged events, sound bites, etc. to get news to persuade (framing)

3.  Ineffectiveness of Information Campaigns (AP 33)

• People opposed to your view turn off as the information become effective. (dissonance theory explains this)

• As persuasion begins to work it lowers receiver confidence in their previous views.  Ironically, that yields less willingness to listen to further opposing views.  (again, dissonance theory explains this.)

• Result:  dissonance often leads to rejection or distortion of information  --- selective perception.

• Solution:  Embed your message in "non-persuasion" settings and in small bits.  e.g. entertainment shows, short ads, dramas, jokes (e.g. Sesame Street).

• Note the effect of this on political campaigns (Daily Show guests and You Tube, for example)