Propaganda and Information Warfare in the Twenty-First Century: Altered Images and Deception Operations (Contemporary Security Studies)

This is the first book to analyze how the technology to alter images and rapidly distribute them can be used for propaganda and to support deception operations. In the past, propagandists and those seeking to conduct deception operations used crude methods to alter images of real people, events and objects, which could usually be detected relatively easily. Today, however, computers allow propagandists to create any imaginable image, still or moving, with appropriate accompanying audio. Furthermore, it is becoming extremely difficult to detect that an image has been manipulated, and the Internet, television and global media make it possible to disseminate altered images around the world almost instantaneously. Given that the United States is the sole superpower, few, if any, adversaries will attempt to fight the US military conventionally on the battlefield. Therefore, adversaries will use propaganda and deception, especially altered images, in an attempt to level the battlefield or to win a war against the United States without even having to fight militarily. Propaganda and Information Warfare in the 21st Century will be of great interest to students of information war, propaganda, public diplomacy and security studies in general. Propaganda And Information Warfare In The Twenty-first Century Is The First Book To Analyze How The Technology To Alter Images And Rapidly Distribute Them Can Be Used For Propaganda And Deception Operations. Such Images Have Already Appeared, Including Altered Images Of British Troops Abusing Prisoners In Iraq And Altered Photographs Of A 1970s Anti-vietnam War Rally With Jane Fonda Sitting Near 2004 Presidential Candidate John Kerry. Using Examples From History, Scot Macdonald Outlines The Principles Of Propaganda And Deception, And Presents A History Of The Use Of Altered Images (both Still And Moving) In Politics, Diplomacy, Espionage And War.--book Jacket. The Lying Eye : Photography, Propaganda And Deception -- Altered Images : Here, There And Everywhere -- Psychological Operations : Hearts And Minds And Eyes -- Psychological Operations : The Un-american Weapon? -- Deception Is A Many And Varied Thing -- How To Deceive : Principles -- How To Deceive : Stratagems -- The Best Deceivers : The British In The Second World War -- The Easiest Mark : The United States -- The Threat : Striking At The Media Culture -- Defense : The Media Culture Strikes Back. Scot Macdonald. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 184-194) And Index. Propaganda and Information Warfare in the Twenty-First Century is the first book to analyze how the technology to alter images and rapidly distribute them can be used for propaganda and deception operations. Such images have already appeared, including altered images of British troops abusing prisoners in Iraq and altered photographs of a 1970s anti-Vietnam War rally with Jane Fonda sitting near 2004 presidential candidate John Kerry. Using examples from history, Scot Macdonald outlines the principles of propaganda and deception, and presents a history of the use of altered images (both still and moving) in politics, diplomacy, espionage and war. Discussion of the key elements of propaganda, deception and photography serve as the foundation for an examination of why the United States and the West are likely targets for an examination of why the United States and the West are likely targets for attacks using altered images, how adversaries might use such images against the West and what the possible defenses are against them. Propaganda and Information Warfare in the Twenty-First Century will be of great interest to students of information war, propaganda, public diplomacy and security studies in general. -- From page i