Attack of Propaganda on Consciousness
In today’s world of information technology transfer of information has become an easy task. Competition between various communication channels have accelerated the process of information dissemination on global scale. Industries and businesses are investing huge amounts for developing new advertisement techniques to influence customers for purchase of their products and services. This often involves exaggeration of quality and utility value creating false favorable impressions . Use of entertainment games, interesting stories and attractive financial offers lure the customers to accept the offers without appraisal or scrutiny.
Next stage of advertisement is propaganda, which abolishes fare competition and forces acceptance of particular brand by establishing monopoly through aggressive marketing. Use of advertisement or propaganda depends on marketing skill and financial input in the campaign. Such efforts of businesses have capacity to change and strengthen prejudices in prospective buyers. This may result in financial loss to customers. There are laws for preventing false advertisements and monopolistic propaganda activities.
Majority of TV serials and stories and video games promote supernatural powers, give publicity to religious rituals and functions and depict science and technology as new miracle tools. Very less importance and coverage is given to explain the quest for knowledge and power of science to reveal universal laws.
I am more worried about the use of these advance advertisement and propaganda techniques to influence minds of people for selfish motives by some so called religious leaders. They are least concerned about the basic principles of religion, but work to strengthen religious prejudices in people to such a level that their consciousness gets completely corrupted. Their appeal is emotional and in tune with religious prejudices already present. Such people start behaving like hypnotized slaves and do not respond to logical reasoning or convincing proof of false propaganda.
The recent examples of devotees clinging to the belief in so called saints like Asaram and Rampal even after exposure of their ill deeds shows the effect of their propaganda. Still more dangerous situations are created by ISIS who proclaims war to gain power in the name of religion. Fast media coverage helps spread their activities and feeling of insecurity and fear in general public.
What is the remedy to counter such developments. I feel that there is a need of thorough investigation of the methods employed by individuals and groups to mislead the people, curb on media coverage of their activities and disciples. It is high time that an intentional all out effort should be initiated to boost ethics and need of scientific reasoning instead of blind belief.
