The Rhetoric of Deception: A Critical Analysis of Propaganda Language on Social Media

Abstract

This study examines the spread of propaganda through social media discourse, focusing mainly on language. Propaganda, as defined as a purposeful, planned attempt to influence perceptions, change beliefs, and direct behaviors, usually includes disseminating false information, and fake news. This study examined how one could use social media, namely Facebook, Twitter (X), and Instagram, to propagate propaganda while addressing political and governmental influence on media biases. This study utilized critical discourse analysis, specifically utilizing Norman Fairclough's framework, by applying it to social media examples. Given the qualitative approach to this study, we were able to see with greater clarity, emergent methods that propagandists may employ in the process of manipulating a public, relying on different rhetorical devices such as testimonials, bandwagoning, transfer, repetition, and appeals to emotion. The findings suggest the notable negative impact propaganda can have on individual and societal levels, highlighting the role language can have as a tool of propaganda. This study argues that enhancing media literacy and critical analysis of digital material are necessary policies to consider to alleviate the harmful aspects of propaganda.