Propaganda continues to evolve with technological advances, but its core mission remains unchanged: to shape public perception and influence policy. Historical efforts, such as the United States’ Committee on Public Information (CPI) during World War I, established a framework for organized government influence. The CPI utilized newspapers, films, posters, and speeches to garner support for the war, creating a structured approach to propaganda that transformed it from scattered efforts into a comprehensive federal initiative.
The impact of the CPI has been long-lasting. Following World War II, the U.S. Department of Defense defined psychological operations as targeted efforts to convey information to foreign audiences, aiming to influence emotions and behaviors. This definition was formalized in Joint Publication 3-13, which emphasized the integration of various tools to shape adversary decision-making. In the post-9/11 context, perception management became increasingly embedded in government strategies. The Washington Post’s Afghanistan Papers highlighted discrepancies between public optimism and internal acknowledgment of confusion and failure in the military’s messaging strategy. This created a cycle where the narrative often dictated policy, rather than reflecting ground realities.
Global Adoption of Propaganda Techniques
The methodologies developed in the United States have not gone unnoticed by other nations. For example, Russia’s Internet Research Agency has modernized propaganda tactics by employing fake social media personas and targeting content to specific emotional responses. A bipartisan report from the U.S. Senate Intelligence Committee documented how Russian operatives engaged with American voters during the 2016 election, illustrating a shift from traditional broadcasting to algorithm-driven influence.
In a striking example of targeted influence, Israeli-linked public relations firms have recently utilized geofencing to deliver political messages to congregants at U.S. churches. Reports based on Foreign Agent Registration Act filings indicate that the organization Show Faith by Works aimed to create “the largest geofencing and targeted Christian digital campaign ever.” This initiative proposed to geofence church boundaries in states like California, Arizona, Nevada, and Colorado, tracking attendees to deliver tailored advertisements during worship times. In Arizona alone, 38 specific churches were identified for targeting, with similar plans made for over 200 churches in Texas.
Alongside these efforts, Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has funded a substantial paid influencer campaign. Invoices submitted to the Department of Justice reveal that the firm Bridges Partners charged nearly $900,000 for the work of 14 to 18 influencers, who produced between 75 and 90 posts on platforms such as TikTok and Instagram. Investigations suggest that each post cost approximately $6,100 to $7,300, effectively merging government messaging with seemingly personal narratives to make propaganda appear more authentic.
The Algorithmic Nature of Contemporary Propaganda
A clear pattern has emerged across these developments: propaganda no longer simply broadcasts messages; it now follows individuals through their daily lives. Traditional methods, such as Cold War leaflets, have transformed into targeted social media personas. The once straightforward approach of broadcast radio has evolved into geofenced messaging within places of worship. Press conferences have given way to paid influencer posts, blurring the lines between state communications and personal testimony.
This shift highlights a fundamental principle: effective propaganda thrives when it operates invisibly. Continuous, data-driven approaches are closely tied to the platforms people utilize for news and community interaction. While the techniques have evolved, the primary objective remains the same—control the narrative to shape the political reality surrounding it. The implications of these modern strategies are profound, as they fundamentally alter how information is disseminated and perceived by the public.
