Is there a difference between propaganda and advertising? According to Merriam-Webster, propaganda is (1) “the spreading of ideas, information, or rumors for the purpose of helping or injuring an institution, a cause, or a person; (2) ideas, facts, or allegations spread deliberately to further one’s cause or to damage an opposing cause; (3) manipulation of information to influence public opinion. Propagandists emphasize the elements of information that support their position and deemphasize or exclude those that do not. Misleading statements and even lies may be used to create the desired effect.”

Growing up in West Berlin during the Cold War, I became accustomed at a young age to being bombarded by propaganda from East and West. Cold War clichees about the Free World versus the Communist Tyranny peppered the daily news. Terms like Bolshevism, Fascisms, Imperialism, subversion, espionage, and sabotage were used so frequently that they lost their meaning. Capitalist propaganda tended to be a little more and communist propaganda a little less polished. Both versions served as my first inoculation against the willingness to accept advertising claims.

According to Merriam-Webster advertising is the practice used “to bring products, services, opinions, or causes to public notice for the purpose of persuading the public to respond in a certain way.”

Based on the definitions, is there really a difference between propaganda and advertising? According to the EDR (Elke’s Desk Reference) there is not. In my view, both techniques are biased and are used to promote a particular point of view. Argument anyone?

For a sneak peek at the first 20+ pages of my memoir, Walled-In: A West Berlin Girl’s Journey to Freedom, click “Download a free excerpt” on the home page of http://www.walled-in-berlin.com. Walled-In is a story of growing up in Berlin during the Cold War.