NOTE: This information is presented in a lecture to the University of Wisconsin journalism students, hosted by Nikki Rose, Director of Interactive Educational Programs in Crete, Greece. Censorship and propaganda are intrinsically linked as tools of information control used to shape public perception and influence societal attitudes. Censorship involves the suppression or restriction of access to information, often to prevent dissenting or opposing viewpoints from reaching the public. This creates a controlled information environment where only select narratives are allowed to prevail. Propaganda, on the other hand, actively disseminates specific information, often biased or misleading, to promote a particular political agenda or ideology.
When used together, censorship eliminates counter-narratives and critical voices, allowing propaganda to dominate the discourse unchallenged. This synergy between censorship and propaganda can manipulate public opinion, suppress democratic discourse, and maintain the power structures of those implementing these tactics. By restricting access to diverse sources of information and promoting one-sided messages, governments and organizations can effectively control and direct public perception and behavior.