Television and propaganda

Among all the functions that television performs there is the function of a propagandistic tool used by the state authorities. Together with other mass media like newspapers and the radio, television may be a part of one general propagandistic system designed for influencing the opinions of large numbers of people. Such model of influence is most often used in authoritarian regimes like China or the former USSR where the communist ideology is the predominant one accepted by the state authorities. Besides communist regimes propaganda is also widely used by certain political groups trying to popularize their ideas and thus influence the opinions of their voter. As a rule propaganda represents selective information communicated to the audience and thus causes emotional rather than rational response. For example, military actions started by the enemy in a third country (even if they may be completely justified by the common sense) are represented as one of the numerous aggressive acts that this enemy country is so used to do. Television (and most often other mass media) is one of the major tools for conveying such information to the masses. The strategy may be considered very successful for the authorities, as we can see it from the history. Propagandistic system creates strong support of the country's policy by its citizen that in most cases believe everything that's shown on TV. Thus the intent desired by the system, for example the start of a new war against an enemy is easily achieved.