PR in Wartime: Media Control & Propaganda

Today we have a war video shown by our lecturer, about Jessica a female solider from American army was killed in manslaughter. Yes probably by American themselves. And massive report news about her death. It occurs to me that what does PR like during wartime? Public at that time could be manipulated by media, and media could be probably used by politicians. So what's the PR in the wartime? By the way, the posters I post are the selected posters by the Telegraph.The most famous war poster was Alfred Leete's 1914 image of Lord Kitchener pointing directly at the viewer. So successful was this image that it was adapted for American use in both World War I and II by JM Flagg. Yes political propaganda.I search some sources about PR in wartime, most of them are associated with propaganda,and tight media control comes the second.  For propaganda, 

We must remember that in time of war what is said on the enemy’s side of the front is always propaganda, and what is said on our side of the front is truth and righteousness, the cause of humanity and a crusade for peace.-Walter Lippmann

This is the vivid quote about propaganda. For more quotes about propaganda, please see the link War, Propaganda and the Media

During the wartime, politicians tried to make use of media (radio in the 1940s and televisions in the 1950s) to control the public. Hitler is the perfect example of propaganda.His speech was so powerful that thousands of citizens followed him blindly. Here is the video from YouTude:

        

Still, media control matters as well. Look at China in 1940s and 1950s, you will find that the tight government control in media is massive. I did an essay about government communication, I'd better show this here again. Tangshan earthquake happened in the rampant period of the Gang of Four who basically controlled the power of public opinion of the national publicity. Strict control for interviews from disaster areas includes not only forbidding to report the causalities but shoot causality pictures, even not to take photos about rescuing disabled personnel and so forth. The condition of Tangshan disaster was reported, taking People’s Daily and Liberation Army Daily for an example, however, the message was so weak and vague that there was no specific information on calamity. Most articles concerning inspiring slogans of famine relief were spotted everywhere, with strong political propaganda, like “promote production”, “Chairman Mao's revolutionary line guidance” and so on. (People’s Daily, 1976) 

If you are curious about wartime relations with PR and media, you could possible find a large amount of information, here I am just giving you a brief idea. Hopefully you are enjoying the brief :)

Reference:

Hitler Speech, YouTube, 2010, http://www.youtube.com/verify_controversy?next_url=/watch%3Fv%3DL2jqRwo5MHo

Xinhua News Agency, (1976), “Strong Earthquake Took Place in Tangshan, Fengnan area, Heibei province, Under the Guidance of Chairman Mao's Revolutionary Line People Carry Forward the Revolutionary Spirit of Humans Over Nature Relief”, People’s Daily, Vol.1 July 29^th

Global Issues, War, Propaganda and the Media, http://www.globalissues.org/article/157/war-propaganda-and-the-media