ACCORDING to an Australian writer and social psychologist, the 20th century has been characterised by three developments of great political importance: the growth of democracy, the growth of corporate power, and the growth of corporate propaganda as a means of protecting corporate power against democracy.

Since World War I, propaganda has been used as an official war weapon. Today, in the third decade of the 21st century, the propaganda battle is still being fought fiercely.

A recent report has verified that 30 countries have hired professionals as keyboard warriors. It is they who set the criteria for the world, especially nations in the Third World, Pakistan included, regarding what the people should watch, listen, read and discuss. An astonishing fact is that the majority of our social life standards are inspired by such campaigns.

Controlled media and selected information – we are choice-less in the matter – are having an impact on our reactions, as most of the time we reflect emotionally instead of responding rationally.

If you look around, hate based on faith, religion, power, area, ethnicity, etc. is never promoted in our curriculum. Later, as we were exposed to this global village, we are trapped by false and negative information.

No matter what medium you use, most of the time one receives slanted information which slowly and gradually leads the recipient to the objective set by these warriors.

What every person needs to do is to be vigilant and avoid becoming instrumental in such campaigns by any means. Our moral and emotional compass should be our guide. The more honesty, authenticity and compassion we put out into the world, the safer everyone will feel and be constructive.

Zaheer Udin Babar Junejo
Hyderabad

Published in Dawn, November 8th, 2020