Propaganda



Propaganda is any information which is disseminated for the purpose of influencing an audience in order to further a cause or agenda. Propaganda frequently selectively presents facts, half-truths, and lies, and is often emotionally charged. In form and content, propaganda can vary widely. It can range from simple slogans to sophisticated media such as visual arts, books, movies, and the like. It usually comprises signs and symbols which seek to simplify issues and remove nuances. Propaganda may be produced by governments as well as activist groups, religious organizations, corporations, the media, and other individual interests. Propaganda is especially common in wartime, and may constitute part of psychological warfare.

Propaganda plays a prominent role in the United Nations Space Command. In 2164, during the Interplanetary War, propaganda tactics helped to strongly bolster the nascent UNSC forces. Propaganda was also a common part of the environment of the Corbulo Academy of Military Science. UNSC propaganda presented the Epsilon Indi system as the farthest-flung system in human controlled space. This reliance on propaganda can have its detriments, however; for example, prior to the Battle of Bliss in 2526 most Outer Colonies leaders dismissed the Covenant threat as merely propaganda.

The Office of Naval Intelligence produces large amounts of propaganda. ONI Section Two is responsible for external communication and public morale, a role which in practice involves the creation and spread of propaganda. Much of its propaganda was designed to preserve the fiction that UNSC forces were holding their own against the Covenant. One of its most notable propaganda exercises was ONI Directive 930, which mandated that all SPARTAN-II soldiers be listed as missing in action or wounded in action rather than killed in action. Legends which grew around the ORION Project supersoldiers following Operation: CHARLEMAGNE were utilized for ONI propaganda in the following decades. Similarly, the exploits of the SPARTAN-II supersoldiers were publicized in an effort to improve morale. ONI propaganda stated that the United Nations Space Command won the Battle of Ballast.

During the Battle of Mombasa in 2552, Secretary of Defense Paul Huphy Russel and Minister of Information David Dockmaster Dunn both released propaganda messages for the citizens of New Mombasa. Public service announcer Stephen also broadcast propaganda from NMPD headquarters during the battle.

According to Petra Janecek, the Press Corps is synonymous with the dissemination of propaganda.

Insurrectionists are known to use propaganda. Serin Osman initially thought that the bombing of Far Isle was rebel propaganda before she read the relevant file. During the Draco III rebellion in 2554, ODST squad Alpha-Nine was ordered to avoid damaging the city of New Albany lest its destruction be used as anti-UEG propaganda.

Following the Human-Covenant War, the group Sapien Sunrise spread propaganda opposing the 2558 Sangheili peace talks lead by Richard Sekibo.

List of appearances

 * Halo: First Strike
 * Petra
 * Halo 2
 * Halo: Ghosts of Onyx
 * Halo 3: ODST
 * Sadie's Story
 * Halo: Reach
 * Dr. Halsey's personal journal
 * Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn
 * Halo: Mortal Dictata
 * Hunt the Truth