White propaganda

The German White Book (1914), a government-printed piece of white propaganda in support of the German entry into World War I
Not to be confused with white nationalist propaganda.

White propaganda is propaganda that does not hide its origin or nature.[1][2] It is the most common type of propaganda and is distinguished from black propaganda which disguises its origin to discredit an opposing cause.

It typically uses standard public relations techniques and one-sided presentation of an argument. In some languages the word "propaganda" does not have a negative connotation. For example, the Russian word, propaganda (пропаганда) has a neutral connotation in some cases, similar to the English word "promotion" (of an opinion or argument). Jacques Ellul, in one of the major books on the subject of propaganda, Propaganda: The Formation of Men's Attitudes, mentions white propaganda as an acknowledgment of the awareness of the public of attempts being made to influence it. In some states there is a Ministry of Propaganda, for instance; in such a case, one admits that propaganda is being made, its source is known, and its aims and intentions are identified.[3]

  1. ^ "white propaganda". Department of Defense. Archived from the original on 2016-03-04.
  2. ^ "White Propaganda - A Weapon of War - National Library of Scotland". digital.nls.uk.
  3. ^ Ellul, Jacques (1965). Propaganda: The Formation of Men’s Attitudes, p. 16.Trans. Konrad Kellen & Jean Lerner. Vintage Books, New York. ISBN 978-0-394-71874-3.