Letters to the Editor as a Means of Measuring the Effectiveness of Propaganda

Abstract

In spite of the enormous literature on propaganda recently surveyed by a committee of the Social Science Research Council, there has not as yet emerged a generally accepted definition of propaganda. Consequently, any discussion in this field requires at the outset some statement or general indication of what one is dealing with, in order to reduce misunderstanding. As political scientists, we are taking a strictly pragmatic view of propaganda, as completely removed as possible from the area of psychological controversies. We have, for the purposes of our studies, considered only such propaganda as is manifested in the organized activities involved in efforts to get people to take a particular step, such as to vote for Roosevelt, or to abstain from objecting to a particular step, such as the United States’ entry into the World War. These efforts, when promotional, may be denominated “a propaganda campaign.” Such a campaign proceeds by the organized dissemination of propaganda appeals. But these same appeals can, and do, operate without any organized promotion; and still they tend to influence those whom they reach. Many different kinds of individuals carry these appeals—teachers, writers, gossips, etc. From the viewpoint of propaganda analysis, they may be called “propagandizers.” In the course of a typical campaign, there appear propagandizers who indulge in various activities which are significant in spite of their unorganized nature. Different is the propagandist who participates in a propaganda campaign.

Conspiracy Theories Are for Losers

“…Prior evidence shows this is not the case. Comparison between published and unpublished letters suggests that the two groups are not significantly different (Foster and Friedrich 1937). Letters section editors generally acknowledge that the letters column is a place of open debate, and not just a place to discuss items in the newspaper (Perrin and Vaisey 2008:787).…”

The Content of Political Participation: Letters to the Editor and the People Who Write Them

“…Apart from an early article using letters to the editor as a proxy for political propaganda (Foster and Friedrich 1937), most of the research on this topic has focused on whether letters to the editor are accurate representations of public opinion. Not surprisingly, there is some research indicating that letters to the editor may not reflect the will of the people.…”

The Citizen as Contributor—Letters to the Editor in the Austrian Tabloid PaperKronen Zeitung(2008–2017)

“…However, the consistency of deliberative ideals and ordinary citizens' motivation to write letters to the editors is disputable. Typically, researchers assume that letters to the editor perform a safety valve function for letter writers, a possibility to vent their displeasure (Buell 1975;Foster and Friedrich 1937). Drawing on the case of the Kent State shootings, Lander (1972) suggested that letters to the editor are better understood as potentially dangerous pressure valves as they shape the political environment in a community and might even encourage violence.…”