Black Propaganda - Revision history

James Gallagher at 15:14, 25 March 2015

2015-03-25T15:14:41Z

James Gallagher at 13:52, 25 March 2015

2015-03-25T13:52:48Z

James Gallagher at 18:38, 20 March 2015

2015-03-20T18:38:26Z

James Gallagher at 19:29, 18 March 2015

2015-03-18T19:29:42Z

James Gallagher at 11:36, 12 March 2015

2015-03-12T11:36:09Z

James Gallagher: /* Operation Himmler */

2015-03-12T10:23:45Z

Operation Himmler

James Gallagher at 23:46, 11 March 2015

2015-03-11T23:46:48Z

James Gallagher at 23:29, 11 March 2015

2015-03-11T23:29:42Z

James Gallagher at 23:24, 11 March 2015

2015-03-11T23:24:02Z

James Gallagher at 22:39, 11 March 2015

2015-03-11T22:39:27Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:14, 25 March 2015
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	====Operation Himmler====		====Operation Himmler====

−	During the lead-up to the Second World War, Nazi Germany engaged in a Black Propaganda initiative called Operation Himmler. This ~~false flag~~ initiative involved a variety of acts of violence and aggression being carried out or sponsored by German operatives, under the guise of the Polish forces. As part of the Operation, German operatives ransacked a radio station in Gleiwitz, broadcasting a message in Polish encouraging Polish nationals in Silesia to attack Germans. In order to add to the legitimacy of the Black Propaganda, Polish prisoners of war were dressed up in ~~Polish~~ Army uniforms, killed at the scene of the 'crime', and presented to the media as evidence of Polish aggression against Germany <ref>9-11 Review, [http://911review.com/precedent/century/himmler.html Operation Himmler], 9-11 Review website, accessed 11 March 2015</ref>.	+	During the lead-up to the Second World War, Nazi Germany engaged in a Black Propaganda initiative called Operation Himmler. This [[False Flag]] initiative involved a variety of acts of violence and aggression being carried out or sponsored by German operatives, under the guise of the Polish forces. As part of the Operation, German operatives ransacked a radio station in Gleiwitz, broadcasting a message in Polish encouraging Polish nationals in Silesia to attack Germans. In order to add to the legitimacy of the Black Propaganda, Polish prisoners of war were dressed up in German Army uniforms, killed at the scene of the 'crime', and presented to the media as evidence of Polish aggression against Germany <ref>9-11 Review, [http://911review.com/precedent/century/himmler.html Operation Himmler], 9-11 Review website, accessed 11 March 2015</ref>.

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 ==Reported Examples of Black propaganda==
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 ===First World War===
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 [[David Lloyd George]], the British Prime Minister established the [[War Propaganda Bureau]] as a means of promoting Britain’s interests and viewpoints during the war.  Famous writers, such as Arthur Conan Doyle, Thomas Hardy and H. G. Wells, agreed to secretly author publications that would then go on to be distributed under the guise of a commercial printing company. One such piece was the ''Report on Alleged German Outrages'', created to back up the idea that German soldiers systematically tortured Belgian civilians <ref name="John Simkin"/>.
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 ===Second World War===
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 During the lead-up to the Second World War, Nazi Germany engaged in a Black Propaganda initiative called Operation Himmler. This false flag initiative involved a variety of acts of violence and aggression being carried out or sponsored by German operatives, under the guise of the Polish forces. As part of the Operation, German operatives ransacked a radio station in Gleiwitz, broadcasting a message in Polish encouraging Polish nationals in Silesia to attack Germans. In order to add to the legitimacy of the Black Propaganda, Polish prisoners of war were dressed up in Polish Army uniforms, killed at the scene of the 'crime', and presented to the media as evidence of Polish aggression against Germany <ref>9-11 Review, [http://911review.com/precedent/century/himmler.html Operation Himmler], 9-11 Review website, accessed 11 March 2015</ref>.
 ====The Political Warfare Executive====
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 As part of Britain’s Black Broadcasting efforts, numerous covert radio stations were broadcasting on medium or short wavelengths across Axis-occupied Europe. One of these stations, ''Soldatensender Calais'', reportedly had a larger audience than official German radio stations, and was considered an accurate news source.  Radio stations like ''Soldatensender Calais'' reported both real German news and fabricated propaganda. Describing the content of such black broadcasters, [[Sefton Delmer]], the head of black operations, says that their motto was “cover, dirt, cover, cover, dirt, cover, dirt” <ref name="Physics"/>.
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 ===Vietnam War===
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 ====The Phoenix Program====
 During the Vietnam War, the United States Government carried out a systematic campaign of Black Propaganda  against the opposing Government forces, the Viet Cong, between 1965 and 1968. This campaign was called the Phoenix Program, and aimed to 'neutralise' civilians that were sympathetic towards the Viet Cong, using a mixture of kidnap, jailing, interrogation, torture and assassination as part of a [[False Flag]] operation. These violent acts were carried out by United States sponsored troops dressed as Viet Cong operatives, and aimed to erode support among civilians for the Viet Cong so that they would no longer help them against United States forces. Common practice was for the US sponsored troops to publicly kidnap and murder key figures in villages, leave their bodies in plain view, with signs attached attributing the deaths to the Viet Cong. As part of the Phoenix Program, it is estimated that US sponsored troops in the guise of Viet Cong forces 'neutralised' between 20,000 to 40,000 Vietnamese citizens <ref>Truda Gray and Brian Martin (2007), [http://www.bmartin.cc/pubs/07jiw.html Backfires: white, black and grey], ''Journal of Information Warfare'', Vol. 7, Issue 1, pp. 7-16, accessed 11 March 2015</ref>.
 ===Modern Politics and Media===
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 ====Australian 2007 Federal Election====
 Australian media reported that in the run-up to the 2007 Australian Federal Election, a group of Liberal Party politicians were allegedly behind the distribution of fake fliers under the guise of a non-existent organisation called the Islamic Australia Federation. The distributed fliers praised a rival political party, the Australian Labour Party, for supporting Islamic extremism and terrorism in Australia. Whilst the Australian Labour Party lodged complaints with the Electoral Commission, media attention was directed to the outrage of the Australian Islamic community and its criticism of the Liberal Party members allegedly involved <ref>Greg Ansley, [http://www.nzherald.co.nz/australian-elections-2007/news/article.cfm?c_id=1501680&objectid=10477867 Fake flyers derail Howard], ''The New Zealand Herald'' website, 23 November 2007, accessed 11 March 2015</ref>.

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-===Resources===
+==Resources==
 * Dedman College of Humanities & Sciences, [https://www.physics.smu.edu/pseudo/Propaganda/black.html Black Propaganda]: Black Propaganda by the Allies during the Second World War.
 *Robert Rowan, [http://bobrowen.com/nymas/radioproppaper.htm Gray and Black Radio Propaganda against Nazi Germany]: Black Broadcasting efforts during the Second World War.
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-===Notes===
+==Notes==
 <references/>

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:29, 18 March 2015
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	Post Second World War Black Propaganda is often prepared by intelligence or secret services, reducing the risk of a damaging backlash to the respective Governments if it is ever uncovered. Modern Black Propaganda initiatives can include underground newspapers, forged official documents and falsely attributed rumours. This type of Black Propaganda is often intended to be provocative to the target audience and cause damages to the credibility of the alleged creator<ref>Kenneth Osgood (2002), [http://www.encyclopedia.com/topic/propaganda.aspx Propaganda], ''Encyclopedia of American Foreign Policy'', accessed 11 March 2015</ref>.		Post Second World War Black Propaganda is often prepared by intelligence or secret services, reducing the risk of a damaging backlash to the respective Governments if it is ever uncovered. Modern Black Propaganda initiatives can include underground newspapers, forged official documents and falsely attributed rumours. This type of Black Propaganda is often intended to be provocative to the target audience and cause damages to the credibility of the alleged creator<ref>Kenneth Osgood (2002), [http://www.encyclopedia.com/topic/propaganda.aspx Propaganda], ''Encyclopedia of American Foreign Policy'', accessed 11 March 2015</ref>.

		+	Black Propaganda in wartime situations is often associated with clandestine [[Psychological Warfare]] and [[Psychological Operations]] <ref>William Levinson (1999), [http://www.stentorian.com/propagan.html An Introduction to Propaganda], The Stentorian website, accessed 12 March 2015</ref>.

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:36, 12 March 2015
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	{{Template:Propaganda badge}}		{{Template:Propaganda badge}}

−	[[Black Propaganda]] is a form of information that is spread by one source, and is produced to look as if it has come from another source. The whole idea behind Black ~~propaganda~~ is that it is convincing enough to be accepted as something other than what it really is<ref name="Physics">Dedman College of Humanities & Sciences, [https://www.physics.smu.edu/pseudo/Propaganda/black.html Black Propaganda], Dedman College of Humanities & Social Sciences Department of Physics website, accessed 11 march 2015</ref>. Black Propaganda differs from [[White Propaganda]], where the source of the information is clear, and [[Grey Propaganda]], where the source of the information is not identifiable. Its defining feature is that it intends to subvert and deceive its audience in regard to its origins. The moment that Black Propaganda is recognised to be fake, it ceases to be effective as Black Propaganda. Being defined by its subversive nature, the information given in Black Propaganda does not necessarily have to be fabricated, it can be true or false <ref name="Debra Kelly">Debra Kelly, [http://knowledgenuts.com/2014/02/12/the-difference-between-gray-white-and-black-propaganda/ The Difference Between Gray, White And Black Propaganda], KnowledgeNuts website, 12 February 2014, accessed 11 March 2015</ref>.	+	[[Black Propaganda]] is a form of information that is spread by one source, and is produced to look as if it has come from another source. The whole idea behind Black Propaganda is that it is convincing enough to be accepted as something other than what it really is<ref name="Physics">Dedman College of Humanities & Sciences, [https://www.physics.smu.edu/pseudo/Propaganda/black.html Black Propaganda], Dedman College of Humanities & Social Sciences Department of Physics website, accessed 11 march 2015</ref>. Black Propaganda differs from [[White Propaganda]], where the source of the information is clear, and [[Grey Propaganda]], where the source of the information is not identifiable. Its defining feature is that it intends to subvert and deceive its audience in regard to its origins. The moment that Black Propaganda is recognised to be fake, it ceases to be effective as Black Propaganda. Being defined by its subversive nature, the information given in Black Propaganda does not necessarily have to be fabricated, it can be true or false <ref name="Debra Kelly">Debra Kelly, [http://knowledgenuts.com/2014/02/12/the-difference-between-gray-white-and-black-propaganda/ The Difference Between Gray, White And Black Propaganda], KnowledgeNuts website, 12 February 2014, accessed 11 March 2015</ref>.

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 ====Operation Himmler====
-During the lead-up to the Second World War, Nazi Germany engaged in a Black Propaganda initiative called Operation Himmler. This false flag initiative involved a variety of acts of violence and aggression being carried out or sponsored by German operatives, under the guise of the Polish forces. As part of the Operation, German operatives ransacked a radio station in Gleiwitz, broadcasting a message in Polish encouraging Polish nationals in Silesia to attack Germans. In order to add to the legitimacy of the Black Propaganda, Polish prisoners of war were dressed up in Polish Army uniforms, killed at the scene of the 'crime', and presented to the media as evidence of Polish aggression against Germany <ref>9-11 Review, [ http://911review.com/precedent/century/himmler.html Operation Himmler], 9-11 Review website, accessed 11 March 2015</ref>.
+During the lead-up to the Second World War, Nazi Germany engaged in a Black Propaganda initiative called Operation Himmler. This false flag initiative involved a variety of acts of violence and aggression being carried out or sponsored by German operatives, under the guise of the Polish forces. As part of the Operation, German operatives ransacked a radio station in Gleiwitz, broadcasting a message in Polish encouraging Polish nationals in Silesia to attack Germans. In order to add to the legitimacy of the Black Propaganda, Polish prisoners of war were dressed up in Polish Army uniforms, killed at the scene of the 'crime', and presented to the media as evidence of Polish aggression against Germany <ref>9-11 Review, [http://911review.com/precedent/century/himmler.html Operation Himmler], 9-11 Review website, accessed 11 March 2015</ref>.
 ====The Political Warfare Executive====

← Older revision		Revision as of 23:46, 11 March 2015
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−	==== The Political Warfare Executive====	+	====Operation Himmler====
		+
		+	During the lead-up to the Second World War, Nazi Germany engaged in a Black Propaganda initiative called Operation Himmler. This false flag initiative involved a variety of acts of violence and aggression being carried out or sponsored by German operatives, under the guise of the Polish forces. As part of the Operation, German operatives ransacked a radio station in Gleiwitz, broadcasting a message in Polish encouraging Polish nationals in Silesia to attack Germans. In order to add to the legitimacy of the Black Propaganda, Polish prisoners of war were dressed up in Polish Army uniforms, killed at the scene of the 'crime', and presented to the media as evidence of Polish aggression against Germany <ref>9-11 Review, [ http://911review.com/precedent/century/himmler.html Operation Himmler], 9-11 Review website, accessed 11 March 2015</ref>.
		+
		+
		+	====The Political Warfare Executive====

	An organisation called the [[Political Warfare Executive]] was set up by the British Government, with the sole aim of producing Black Propaganda to demoralise Axis troops and citizens. Throughout the 1940s, this organisation created postcards which would be airdropped or mailed directly to German citizens. These postcards were created to mimic misdirected German communications, and detailed demoralising reports, like how German officers were frequently enjoying lavish banquets whilst the rest of the population starved under rationing <ref name="Debra Kelly"/>.		An organisation called the [[Political Warfare Executive]] was set up by the British Government, with the sole aim of producing Black Propaganda to demoralise Axis troops and citizens. Throughout the 1940s, this organisation created postcards which would be airdropped or mailed directly to German citizens. These postcards were created to mimic misdirected German communications, and detailed demoralising reports, like how German officers were frequently enjoying lavish banquets whilst the rest of the population starved under rationing <ref name="Debra Kelly"/>.

@@ Line 60: / Line 60: @@
 ====The Phoenix Program====
-During the Vietnam War, the United States Government carried out a systematic campaign of Black Propaganda  against the opposing Government forces, the Viet Cong, between 1965 and 1968. This campaign was called the Phoenix Program, and aimed to 'neutralise' civilians that were sympathetic towards the Viet Cong, using a mixture of kidnap, jailing, interrogation, torture and assassination. These violent acts were carried out by United States sponsored troops dressed as Viet Cong operatives, and aimed to erode support among civilians for the Viet Cong so that they would no longer help them against United States forces. Common practice was for the US sponsored troops to publicly kidnap and murder key figures in villages, leave their bodies in plain view, with signs attached attributing the deaths to the Viet Cong. As part of the Phoenix Program, it is estimated that US sponsored troops in the guise of Viet Cong forces 'neutralised' between 20,000 to 40,000 Vietnamese citizens <ref>Truda Gray and Brian Martin (2007), [http://www.bmartin.cc/pubs/07jiw.html Backfires: white, black and grey], ''Journal of Information Warfare'', Vol. 7, Issue 1, pp. 7-16, accessed 11 March 2015</ref>.
+During the Vietnam War, the United States Government carried out a systematic campaign of Black Propaganda  against the opposing Government forces, the Viet Cong, between 1965 and 1968. This campaign was called the Phoenix Program, and aimed to 'neutralise' civilians that were sympathetic towards the Viet Cong, using a mixture of kidnap, jailing, interrogation, torture and assassination as part of a [[False Flag]] operation. These violent acts were carried out by United States sponsored troops dressed as Viet Cong operatives, and aimed to erode support among civilians for the Viet Cong so that they would no longer help them against United States forces. Common practice was for the US sponsored troops to publicly kidnap and murder key figures in villages, leave their bodies in plain view, with signs attached attributing the deaths to the Viet Cong. As part of the Phoenix Program, it is estimated that US sponsored troops in the guise of Viet Cong forces 'neutralised' between 20,000 to 40,000 Vietnamese citizens <ref>Truda Gray and Brian Martin (2007), [http://www.bmartin.cc/pubs/07jiw.html Backfires: white, black and grey], ''Journal of Information Warfare'', Vol. 7, Issue 1, pp. 7-16, accessed 11 March 2015</ref>.
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 *Sefton Delmer (1962), [http://www.psywar.co.uk/delmer/1005/1002 Black Boomerang: An Autobiography, Volume Two], London: Secker and Warburg
 *Wikipedia, [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_propaganda Black Propaganda]: Brief overview of the subject
 ===Notes===

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-===First World War Case Studies===
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-===Second World War Case Studies===
+===Second World War===
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-===Modern Politics Case Studies===
+===Vietnam War===
 ----

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 It is argued that this kind of [[Propaganda]] is notoriously hard to create convincingly, requiring a great knowledge and cultural understanding of the source which it is mimicking. When creating material in another language, for example, a single grammatical error or unusual use of language can reveal that the author is not a native speaker, and cast the Black Propaganda into doubt <ref name="Physics"/>.
 ===First World War Case Studies===
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 As part of Britain’s Black Broadcasting efforts, numerous covert radio stations were broadcasting on medium or short wavelengths across Axis-occupied Europe. One of these stations, ''Soldatensender Calais'', reportedly had a larger audience than official German radio stations, and was considered an accurate news source.  Radio stations like ''Soldatensender Calais'' reported both real German news and fabricated propaganda. Describing the content of such black broadcasters, [[Sefton Delmer]], the head of black operations, says that their motto was “cover, dirt, cover, cover, dirt, cover, dirt” <ref name="Physics"/>.
@@ Line 52: / Line 78: @@
 *National Library of Scotland, [http://digital.nls.uk/propaganda/black/ Second World War black propaganda]: Various black propaganda leaflets during the Second World War
 *Tom Carver, [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/1830500.stm Pentagon Plans Propaganda War]: Modern US proposals for Black Propaganda
 ===Notes===