The role of propaganda in the "war against terrorism"

8/8/2019 The role of propaganda in the "war against terrorism"

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The role of Propaganda in theThe role of Propaganda in the

War against TerrorismWar against Terrorism

Some preliminary thoughts.Some preliminary thoughts.

Philip M. TaylorPhilip M. Taylor

Professor of InternationalProfessor of InternationalCommunicationsCommunications

University of LeedsUniversity of Leeds


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Fools rush in..Fools rush in..

!! Making snap judgements, especially when aMaking snap judgements, especially when a

propaganda war is ongoing, is rarely a good ideapropaganda war is ongoing, is rarely a good ideafor academicsfor academics

!! Journalists have to do it, especially under pressureJournalists have to do it, especially under pressure

of news report deadlines and the tyranny of real-of news report deadlines and the tyranny of real-time television (time television (Nik GowingNik Gowing))

!! Media reports are the first drafts of historyMedia reports are the first drafts of history

!! But they are usually very rough drafts and rarelyBut they are usually very rough drafts and rarelycontextualisedcontextualised (longer the deadline, the better the(longer the deadline, the better thecontext)context)


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The Global Struggle for theThe Global Struggle for the

moral high groundmoral high ground!! New York targeted because its media richNew York targeted because its media rich

environment ensured maximum, spectacular,environment ensured maximum, spectacular,global media coverageglobal media coverage


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A new kind of war?A new kind of war?

!! war is usually defined as armed conflict betweenwar is usually defined as armed conflict between

two or moretwo or more nationnation statesstates!! ThisThis conflictconflictis more one (so far) against anis more one (so far) against an

individualindividual (although the dead or alive line was(although the dead or alive line was

backed off from on 25/10/01)backed off from on 25/10/01) and hisand hisorganisations which transcend traditional geo-organisations which transcend traditional geo-spatial boundariesspatial boundaries

!! Mistake to use the word crusade in early daysMistake to use the word crusade in early daysbecause this sent the wrong signal in the Muslimbecause this sent the wrong signal in the Muslimworldworld

!! Also Original Campaign Plan title: InfiniteAlso Original Campaign Plan title: InfiniteJustice!!!!Justice!!!!


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So what kind of war is this?So what kind of war is this?

!! Analogy with the war on drugsAnalogy with the war on drugs

!! War against an idea or a concept by a non-stateWar against an idea or a concept by a non-stateactoractor

!! Cold War of ideas/ideologiesCold War of ideas/ideologies

!! How long will this last?: were in this for the longHow long will this last?: were in this for the longhaulhaul

!! Military front only one element; where next? (Iraq?Military front only one element; where next? (Iraq?Already a war front)Already a war front)

!! Has the public got the stomach for the casualtiesHas the public got the stomach for the casualties(innocent women and children) and the(innocent women and children) and thelongevity?longevity?


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Enduring Freedom: A war onEnduring Freedom: A war on

FiveFive (or Six)(or Six) FrontsFronts!! The Diplomatic Front The Diplomatic Front i.e. coalition buildingi.e. coalition building

!! The Intelligence Front The Intelligence Front the arrest and detention ofthe arrest and detention ofterrorists and their supportersterrorists and their supporters

!! The Financial Front The Financial Front tracking and freezing moneytracking and freezing money

assets and laundering operationsassets and laundering operations!! The Law Enforcement Front The Law Enforcement Front including counter-including counter-

terrorist actsterrorist acts

!! The Military Front The Military Front currently focused oncurrently focused onAfghanistanAfghanistan

!! (The Humanitarian Front (The Humanitarian Front including the droppingincluding the droppingof food relief at the same time as bombingof food relief at the same time as bombing))


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The Propaganda WarThe Propaganda War

!! Plays out on all five frontsPlays out on all five fronts

!! Usually conducted through global mediaUsually conducted through global media

!! On the military front, psychological operationsOn the military front, psychological operations

(leaflets and radio) in support of military(leaflets and radio) in support of military

operations now deployed.operations now deployed.

!! Information warfare includes strikes againstInformation warfare includes strikes against

TalibanTaliban radio and supplanting of internalradio and supplanting of internalcommunications messages by outside militarycommunications messages by outside military

media (including Commando Solo aircraft)media (including Commando Solo aircraft)


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PSYOPS - Commando SoloPSYOPS - Commando Solo


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Commando Solo broadcastsCommando Solo broadcasts

!! We have no wish to hurt you, the innocent people ofWe have no wish to hurt you, the innocent people ofAfghanistan. Stay away from military installations,Afghanistan. Stay away from military installations,government buildings, terrorist camps, roads, factories orgovernment buildings, terrorist camps, roads, factories orbridges. If you are near these places, then you must movebridges. If you are near these places, then you must moveaway from them. Seek a safe place, and stay well awayaway from them. Seek a safe place, and stay well away

from anything that might be a target. We do not wish tofrom anything that might be a target. We do not wish toharm you.harm you.

!! With your help, this conflict can be over soon. And onceWith your help, this conflict can be over soon. And onceagain, Afghanistan will belong to you, and not to tyrants oragain, Afghanistan will belong to you, and not to tyrants or

outsiders. Then, you will reclaim your place among theoutsiders. Then, you will reclaim your place among thenations of the world, and return to the honored place yournations of the world, and return to the honored place yourcountry once held. Remember, we are here to help you tocountry once held. Remember, we are here to help you to

be free from this terrorism, despotism and the fear and painbe free from this terrorism, despotism and the fear and painthey bring with them.they bring with them.


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The Partnership of Nations isThe Partnership of Nations is

Here to Help YouHere to Help You


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Information WarfareInformation WarfareKabul, Voice of Sharia

radio Station before (left)

and after air strike (below) 8

October 2001. Restored 26

Oct., destroyed hours later

Monitor latest developments

at

http://www.clandestineradio.com


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Why dont we see the WTCWhy dont we see the WTC

pictures anymore?pictures anymore?!! After initial saturation coverage, US networksAfter initial saturation coverage, US networks

debated wisdom of sustaining the images whendebated wisdom of sustaining the images whenvictims were yet to be removed from the rubble,victims were yet to be removed from the rubble,and the impact on relativesand the impact on relatives

!!

Some official pressure in UK not to use themSome official pressure in UK not to use thembecause of their demoralisation effect on homebecause of their demoralisation effect on homefrontfront

!! From the point of view of a global propagandaFrom the point of view of a global propagandastruggle, this absence allows adversaries to exploitstruggle, this absence allows adversaries to exploitUS motives, fuel dissentUS motives, fuel dissent

!! Democracies always on the defensive as a resultDemocracies always on the defensive as a result


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Main world-wide themes of anti-Main world-wide themes of anti-

USA propagandaUSA propaganda!! US sponsorship of Israeli terrorismUS sponsorship of Israeli terrorism

!! US hypocrisy of selective military interventionsUS hypocrisy of selective military interventionsand selective targeting of terrorists (why not goand selective targeting of terrorists (why not go

after the Real IRA? Why not wage war againstafter the Real IRA? Why not wage war against

Basque terrorists? BUT mainly Israeli terrorism)Basque terrorists? BUT mainly Israeli terrorism)

!! Globalisation = coca-colonialismGlobalisation = coca-colonialism

!! Initial use of word crusade indicates reality of aInitial use of word crusade indicates reality of aChristian war against Islam (e.g. sanctions againstChristian war against Islam (e.g. sanctions against

Iraq, military bases in Saudi Arabia)Iraq, military bases in Saudi Arabia)


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Why do they hate theWhy do they hate the

USA/West?USA/West?!! September 11 was not mindless terrorismSeptember 11 was not mindless terrorism

for terrorisms sake. It was reaction andfor terrorisms sake. It was reaction andrevenge, even retribution. Pakistanirevenge, even retribution. Pakistaninewspaper, The Nation.newspaper, The Nation.

!! Betrayal, poverty, western support forBetrayal, poverty, western support forcorrupt royal families, fear of modernitycorrupt royal families, fear of modernity

!! US support for Israel, bombing of Iraq,US support for Israel, bombing of Iraq,presence of US troops in Holy Land ofpresence of US troops in Holy Land ofMeccaMecca


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The Arab CNN AlThe Arab CNN Al JazeeraJazeera

TVTV!! Staff prefer to think of themselves as the BBC WorldStaff prefer to think of themselves as the BBC World

Service TV of the Middle East (many BBC trained)Service TV of the Middle East (many BBC trained)

!! QuatarQuatar based, it has upset just about every Middle Easternbased, it has upset just about every Middle Easternleader by its western style of allowing debate on anyleader by its western style of allowing debate on anyissueissue

!! Broadcast of bin Laden taped messages upsets west as wellBroadcast of bin Laden taped messages upsets west as well accusation that they may contain coded messages to accusation that they may contain coded messages toterrorists sleeping around the world.terrorists sleeping around the world.

!!

The very fact that Spin Laden has communicationsThe very fact that Spin Laden has communicationsspecialists indicates his value of the oxygen of publicityspecialists indicates his value of the oxygen of publicity

!! Debate now extended to democratic countries but ifDebate now extended to democratic countries but ifnetworks self censor themselves, isnt this morenetworks self censor themselves, isnt this more

propaganda ammunition about western hypocrisy?propaganda ammunition about western hypocrisy?


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Is the US losing the propagandaIs the US losing the propaganda

war?war?!! Public Opinion polls around the world stillPublic Opinion polls around the world still

indicate strong support for US action, withindicate strong support for US action, withopposition in a minorityopposition in a minority

!! As the military campaign continues, collateralAs the military campaign continues, collateral

damage inevitable, fuelling oppositiondamage inevitable, fuelling opposition!! Time differences mean overnight bombingTime differences mean overnight bombing

dominates Pakistani media agendadominates Pakistani media agenda

!! PoliticiansPoliticians in the westin the west keep insisting that this iskeep insisting that this isNOT a war against IslamNOT a war against Islam whereas everything theywhereas everything theydo to Islam is interpreted as exactly this bydo to Islam is interpreted as exactly this by

militantsmilitants


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Caught on the back footCaught on the back foot

!! Since the last presidential election, themes aboutSince the last presidential election, themes about

the merits of democratic systems are on shakythe merits of democratic systems are on shakyground.ground.

!! International Public Information (i.e. publicInternational Public Information (i.e. public

diplomacy) programmes, especially since PDDdiplomacy) programmes, especially since PDD68, clearly failing. Why?68, clearly failing. Why?

!! Probably because they are targeted at elite foreignProbably because they are targeted at elite foreign

audiences, not at the street-levelaudiences, not at the street-level!! Foreign elites, especially in non-democracies, notForeign elites, especially in non-democracies, not

transferring US justifications to their own peopletransferring US justifications to their own people

for fear (?) of being deposed at the street level.for fear (?) of being deposed at the street level.


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Meeting the post Sept 11Meeting the post Sept 11thth

propaganda challengepropaganda challenge!! The west has to confront the widespread view inThe west has to confront the widespread view in

some parts of the world that USA got what itsome parts of the world that USA got what itdeserved.deserved. Yes, but hYes, but howow??

!! PProviderovide more convincing evidence for bin Ladenmore convincing evidence for bin Laden

and Aland Al QaedasQaedas involvement (without jeopardisinginvolvement (without jeopardisingHUMINT sources)HUMINT sources). Keep the evidence coming. Keep the evidence comingand cumulative.and cumulative.

!! EEmphasisemphasise nature ofnature ofTalibanTaliban regimeregime!! Emphasise binEmphasise bin LadensLadens recent conversion to therecent conversion to the

Palestine cause and the source of his wealthPalestine cause and the source of his wealth

(building US military bases in Saudi Arabia)(building US military bases in Saudi Arabia)


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Meeting the propagandaMeeting the propaganda

challengechallenge!! IIn IPI programmes, utilise World Trade Centren IPI programmes, utilise World Trade Centre

footage at every opportunityfootage at every opportunity!! (h(httpttp://politics.guardian.co.://politics.guardian.co.ukuk/attacks/story/0,1320/attacks/story/0,1320

,583549,00.html),583549,00.html)

!! Greater inter-agency co-ordination betweenGreater inter-agency co-ordination between

strategic and tactical information programmesstrategic and tactical information programmes

!! Alistair Campbells coalition information centresAlistair Campbells coalition information centresin Islamabad, London and Washington (1in Islamabad, London and Washington (1

November 2001)November 2001)


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Weapons of MassWeapons of Mass

CommunicationCommunication!! EEmphasisemphasise, with examples, that US is a force for good in, with examples, that US is a force for good in

the world and that terrorism is the oppositethe world and that terrorism is the opposite

!! AAddressddress the apparent anomalies in US foreign policy,the apparent anomalies in US foreign policy,

especially in the Middle East: image is shallow andespecially in the Middle East: image is shallow and

unconvincing without substanceunconvincing without substance

!! Stress US support for Muslim populations in Bosnia,Stress US support for Muslim populations in Bosnia,

KosovoKosovo and East Timorand East Timor

!!

Clamp down on domestic anti-Muslim attacks in westernClamp down on domestic anti-Muslim attacks in westerncountries; they only provide more evidence in the Middlecountries; they only provide more evidence in the Middle

East of western hatred of ArabsEast of western hatred of Arabs


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Counter-propagandaCounter-propaganda

!! Terrorism plays on fear and generating anxiety Terrorism plays on fear and generating anxiety

combat this with statistical truthscombat this with statistical truths, reassurances, reassurancesabout likelihood of random attacksabout likelihood of random attacks

!! Emphasise world-wide nature of coalitionEmphasise world-wide nature of coalition

!! Encourage local media (where necessary throughEncourage local media (where necessary throughthe government departments which control them)the government departments which control them)to cut through myths and disinformationto cut through myths and disinformation

!! If innocent women and children suffer inIf innocent women and children suffer inAfghanistan,Afghanistan, emphasiseemphasise number of women andnumber of women andchildren who died in World Tradechildren who died in World Trade CentreCentre andand

Pentagon attacksPentagon attacks


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Will this work?Will this work?

!! Probably not in the short term because weProbably not in the short term because we

are seeing Arab street-level public opinionare seeing Arab street-level public opinionfor the first time as expressed on stationsfor the first time as expressed on stations

like Allike Al JazeeraJazeera!! Clamping down on Arab media will setClamping down on Arab media will set

back democratisationback democratisation

!! Besides, will removal of bin Laden endBesides, will removal of bin Laden end

terrorism or merely create more?terrorism or merely create more?


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Terrorism in the 1990sTerrorism in the 1990s

Note: increases in the years of the Gulf War and Kosovo conflict


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Themes to watch out forThemes to watch out for

!! More and more western emphasis that More and more western emphasis that this is notthis is not

a war against Islama war against Islam nornor a clash of civilisationsa clash of civilisations!! Western encouragement of a peaceful solution toWestern encouragement of a peaceful solution to

the Palestine problemthe Palestine problem

!! More and more emphasis on the US asMore and more emphasis on the US as a force fora force forgood in the worldgood in the world (humanitarian aid etc) this is(humanitarian aid etc) this isalso a tough nut to crack (history, etc)also a tough nut to crack (history, etc)

!! Iraqi involvement? (seeIraqi involvement? (seehttp://http://abcnewsabcnews.go.com/sections/us/.go.com/sections/us/DailyNewsDailyNews/AN/ANTHRAX_Investigation.html)THRAX_Investigation.html)


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Discrediting western information: SowingDiscrediting western information: Sowing

seeds of doubt in the Middle Eastseeds of doubt in the Middle East

!! The US had planned to attack Afghanistan longThe US had planned to attack Afghanistan long

before September 11before September 11!! Long-term US covert plans to kill bin LadenLong-term US covert plans to kill bin Laden

!! TalibanTaliban not so bad as west claimsnot so bad as west claims

!! Evidence against bin Laden unconvincingEvidence against bin Laden unconvincing!! 5 of the 19 hijackers still alive5 of the 19 hijackers still alive

!! No cell phone call from the hijacked planesNo cell phone call from the hijacked planesmentioned Arabsmentioned Arabs

!! Followers of bin Laden in a strip bar?Followers of bin Laden in a strip bar?

!! Passport of one found at the WTC?Passport of one found at the WTC?!! Mohamed Atas suitcase never made the plane?Mohamed Atas suitcase never made the plane?


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Other nuts to crackOther nuts to crack

!! The belief that the US is arrogant,The belief that the US is arrogant,

hypocritical and imperialist (see:hypocritical and imperialist (see:http://www.http://www.muslimediamuslimedia.com/editor120..com/editor120.htmhtm))

!! The belief that this IS a clash ofThe belief that this IS a clash ofcivilisationscivilisations

!! The belief that the US is using the warThe belief that the US is using the war

against terrorism as a cover for otheragainst terrorism as a cover for otherobjectives (e.g. thatobjectives (e.g. that MossadMossad was behind thewas behind theSeptember 11 attacks)September 11 attacks)


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Trends to watch out forTrends to watch out for

!! Governmental pressure on media outlets notGovernmental pressure on media outlets not

to carry binto carry bin LadensLadens propagandapropaganda!! A beefing up of official foreign informationA beefing up of official foreign information

services (e.g. Voice of America, BBCservices (e.g. Voice of America, BBCWorld Service, Radio Free AfghanistanWorld Service, Radio Free Afghanistanplus covert stations)plus covert stations)

!! Internet rumours and disinformation (e.g.Internet rumours and disinformation (e.g.that the footage of celebrating Palestiniansthat the footage of celebrating Palestinianswas taken during the Gulf War)was taken during the Gulf War)


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THE IMPORTANCE OF INFORMATION

TO THE MILITARY

Information In Warfare Information WarfareIntelligence

Surveillance

Reconnaissance

Weather

Geographic

Other

Influence Attitudes

Deny / Protect

Deceive

Exploit / Attack


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INFORMATION WARFARE

InfluenceAttitudes Deny / Protect

(PerceptionManagement)

Public Diplomacy

Private Diplomacy

PSYOP

Media Relations(PA/PI)

Education (soft)

Counter Influence

OPSECInfo Assurance

Counter

Intelligence

CND

Deceive Exploit / Attack

ElectronicWarfare

CNA

Ballistic

EMP

SpoofingDeception

Imitation

Distortion


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Long-term vs. Short-termLong-term vs. Short-term

strategystrategy!! The military front may be a short conflict but theThe military front may be a short conflict but the

battle for hearts and minds is criticalbattle for hearts and minds is critical!! This requires a long-term strategy for informationThis requires a long-term strategy for information

and educationand education

!! Propaganda needs to be hand-in-hand with policyPropaganda needs to be hand-in-hand with policy

and not precede itand not precede it

!!

If anything, policy needs addressing first, but withIf anything, policy needs addressing first, but withpresentation in mind (not vice versa)presentation in mind (not vice versa)

!! Only then can image reflect realityOnly then can image reflect reality


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Preliminary conclusions morePreliminary conclusions more

questions than answersquestions than answers!! Can democracies wage long wars with publicCan democracies wage long wars with public

support in the information age?support in the information age?!! What are the military objectives in Afghanistan?What are the military objectives in Afghanistan?

If it is a manhunt, then remember SomaliaIf it is a manhunt, then remember Somalia

!! How long can the media sustain their interest,How long can the media sustain their interest,

especially after the military phase gets overtakenespecially after the military phase gets overtaken

by the other fronts?by the other fronts?!! Are the media part of the problem or part of theAre the media part of the problem or part of the

solution?solution?

The role of propaganda in the "war against terrorism"

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