Spotting propaganda may seem challenging at first, but can look as simple as paying attention to information consumed. Certain clues can reveal messages designed to influence opinions or incite action. Keep track of the following five clues to learn how to detect propaganda in person and online.

Medium-specific strategies

Propaganda adapts to different mediums, leveraging specific strategies on each platform to increase effectiveness, capture attention and push agendas. On social media, memes are crafted to be shared rapidly, prompting users to pass along messages without much consideration. Videos can manipulate narratives through selective editing and emotionally impactful visuals, while text-based propaganda uses alarmist headlines, bold fonts and excessive punctuation to create a sense of urgency or drama. Across all mediums, repetition is a powerful tool. Be cautious of messages that appear repeatedly, as their frequency amplifies their influence.

Linguistic red flags

Propaganda often hides behind language designed to manipulate rather than inform, making it crucial to recognize linguistic red flags. Four common examples are glittering generalities, name-calling, bandwagon appeals and oversimplification. Glittering generalities use vague, positive-sounding terms like “equality” and “prosperity” to create an illusion of truth without substance, while name-calling relies on derogatory and dehumanizing language to discredit opponents. Bandwagon appeals suggest a message is right simply because it is popular, and oversimplification portrays complex issues as black-and-white dilemmas. Identifying these tactics helps uncover the true intent behind a message.

Emotional buttons

Propaganda can override one’s ability to think logically and critically by playing on powerful emotions like fear, anger, patriotism and one’s need to belong. Employing these emotional buttons can make messages feel urgent or deeply personal, which discourages the use of careful analysis and independent judgement. Content that triggers intense reactions is designed to exploit emotional buttons to shape opinions and drive action. If a message seems intended to provoke reaction rather than reflection, it may be propaganda. 

Suspicious sources

Information from unknown or unreliable sources raises red flags. To determine a source’s credibility, examine if the source has a history of spreading biased or misleading content and evaluate how information is presented. If a source seems one-sided or lacks credible evidence, it is worth questioning. Reading actively to analyze both the source and its content can help identify hidden agendas and prevent people from falling for misinformation.

Personal reactions

Personal reactions to certain information can reveal the presence of propaganda. Immediately agreeing with a message without question may signal an intent to manipulate. Consider whether a message taps into biases, emotions or subconscious beliefs. Take notice of strong urges to share content without verifying facts or checking sources. Pausing to reflect on personal reactions can make it easier to distinguish between messages designed to provoke action and those offering unbiased information. 

Sources: A.J. Bauer, assistant professor in the Department of Journalism and Creative Media at the University of Alabama, Dr. Althea Delwiche, chair of the Department of Communication at Trinity University, Dr. Nicholas Cull, professor of communication at the University of Southern California, Dr. Monika Rankin, associate professor of history at The University of Texas at Dallas.