Ruby raised her hand and said "Propaganda is the dissemination of information aimed at influencing the opinions or behaviors of large numbers of people. As opposed to impartially providing information, propaganda in its most basic sense presents information in order to influence its audience. Propaganda often presents facts selectively (thus lying by omission) to encourage a particular synthesis, or gives loaded messages in order to produce an emotional rather than rational response to the information presented. The desired result is a change of the attitude toward the subject in the target audience to further a political agenda."

Abby raises her hand. "According to the muggle dictionary, propaganda is the spreading of ideas, information, or rumor for the purpose of helping or injuring an institution, a cause, or a person
3: ideas, facts, or allegations spread deliberately to further one's cause or to damage an opposing cause ; also : a public action having such an effect. I think a good example would be the smear campaign Minister Fudge waged against Albus Dumbledore and Harry Potter when they claimed Lord Voldemort had returned after the Tri-wizard Tournament." Abby starts humming to the music and tapping her foot to the beat.

Toby raised his hand, "sir, propaganda is shall we say, not the whole truth regarding any number of subjects, sometimes outright lies, told by any group or organization to solicit sympathy for a cause."

Oh, wow, that had been easy. With that thought on her mind Nancy was already half-way through getting out of her chair to walk over to where the professor had gestured at to turn down the music as she heard his next words causing her to just stay right where she was for a few moments. It must have looked pretty weird as she was just standing there in a quiet weird position looking back and forth between Professor Truebridge, Professor Lupa and the two Ravenclaws with a speculating look on her face. Even though she immediately felt the urge to cover her ears with her hands as the professor started humming she finally decided that it couldn't be any worse than that music that was playing right now.
"Thank you, Sir." With that said she quickly walked over with a small smirk on her face to turn the music down until it was only barely audible if you listened very closely. Now let's see who was going to start humming.

As soon as she'd reached her desk again Nancy raised her hand before saying, "Well, professor, propaganda is something that is used to influence people so that they think the same way you do."

Ana raised her hand "Propaganda is the dissemination of information aimed at influencing the opinions or behaviors of large numbers of people, propaganda often presents facts selectively"

Camira raised her hand, ignoring all the cat drama. She had enough to worry about. "Propaganda is the dissemination of information aimed at influencing the opinions or behaviors of large numbers of people. As opposed to impartially providing information, propaganda in its most basic sense presents information in order to influence its audience. Propaganda often presents facts selectively (thus lying by omission) to encourage a particular synthesis, or gives loaded messages in order to produce an emotional rather than rational response to the information presented. The desired result is a change of the attitude toward the subject in the target audience to further a political agenda." she took a deep breath. "Basically, Propaganda is the deliberate, systematic attempt to shape perceptions, manipulate cognitions, and direct behavior to achieve a response that furthers the desired intent of the propagandist. That would be the short version, at least. Basic techniques include ad hominem, ad nauseum, Appeal to fear, authority, or predjudice, the "Black and White Fallacy", and the use of beautiful people." Oh yes. father had given her many a lesson on this subject.

Abby has to smile at the girl's brassness. She's lucky Professor Trubridge is such an easy going guy. If it had been Professor Kazimeriz... What am I saying Professor Kazimeriz wouldn't allow music in his class in the first place.

"I see you are all fairly aware of what Propaganda is." Ethan noted, "Thank you for your example there, Abby. Can anyone else provide examples from the Wizarding World, or suggest situations where propaganda may have been used in our history?

Ethan paused, "And a reminder to all of you to raise your hand before answering. I know I have been fairly lenient and often we get a bit eager to share our ideas; but if you are all calling out at once I can't hear my music at all and that simply will not do." Ethan winked at the class and swung his feet off the desk, sitting up and looking around.

"Hmmm," Alessia said looking at Ili... if she wanted to be Minky... that'd be fine. It was her fur. "You know Miss Johnson... you are right. There is no need for us to 'figure' anything out... That cat's too maingy to be my..." oh crud what was it again? Right... "TinkerbellPrincessBum..." She smirked. She narrowed her eyes at the cat and gave her a wink. "Oh... but I'm distracting you from your class... that won't do... Would you like me to go?" She asked him.

Qaz raised her hand and replied, 'Way back in Harry Potter's time, the Ministry used propoganda to discredit him and Albus Dumbledore.'

Vanessa thought for a second before raising her hand. "Professor would than in the past Purebloods thought that they were better than Halfbloods and muggle borns be classed as Propagand?"

Abby raises her hand. "Professor, would you consider Rita Skeeter's biography of Albus Dumbledore propaganda?"

Hannah Leigh rose her hand as Professor Truebridge told them to. "Propaganda is a method of, sometimes and usually false, advertising. Like the kind someone running for an office would use in a smear campaign against their opponent, right?"

"The reporter Rita Skeeter used it as a part of her repertoire on a daily basis." said Tobi, with his hand raised. "She wasn't allied with anyone in particular, she was more like a propaganda writer for hire. Both sides use propaganda, it's not restricted to the bad-guys. Harry Potter's side used it too. Harry Potters Quibbler article and Potterwatch used some. But I'm getting off track."

An example of propaganda from the wizarding world... hmm. Juniper rested her hand on her chin as she considered that one. There was always the Daily Prophet and the Quibbler and other wizarding magazines and such. But that was not interesting. A thought came to mind, and Juniper raised her hand. "I'm pretty sure that people who think thestrals are unlucky think so because of propaganda. I mean, they're actually really intelligent and gentle and sturdy, and there's no solidly proved reason for them to be considered unlucky," Juniper said. "It's just that at some point it became known that they were associated with death, and the rest of the good things about them were ignored." And it was the lack of attention to the entire group of known facts about thestrals that made their supposed unluckiness a direct result of propaganda, according to Juniper.

Varius raised his hand, "I suppose when the Ministry took over the school a couple of terms back could have been as a result of rumours stating that the previous Headmistress was not suitable enough for her position or all the beliefs swarming around the school about the ghosts return," he noted with something a bit more modern, "It's all just a big game of chinese whispers really."

"Ah yes, some of the things they did would indeed be classified as propaganda. In fact there is a well known tale that was rewritten for Pureblooded and anti-muggle advocates." Ethan stood up and walked to the front of his desk, leaning against it.

"Yes Abby; I would most certainly consider that to be propaganda."

"You aren't at all off track. Not all propaganda is on the side of the 'bad' guys." Ethan waggled his fingers, making quotation marks in the air as he spoke.

"Very good. Sometimes 'known facts' are indeed a result of propaganda."

"It could have been." Ethan agreed, "And I suggest you all keep an eye on the current climate at the Ministry; make a note whether or not propaganda is used in the upcoming elections."

Truebridge paused, "Any other ideas?"

Camira raised her hand after a moment of thinking. "In 2054 - 55ish, Hogsmeade was attacked by Lord Voldemortist. Ms. Leiden came to Hogwarts to question Staff and somehow it turned into accusations against them. Dempsey Doodle wrote articles during that time that further accused the Staff of certain dark practices in the school. From there, it just got worse. Professors were removed, some imprisoned and on and so forth. I would definitely consider propaganda used in this instance. It seems as though Mr. Doodle and Ms. Leiden used people's fear of another dark lord to get away with things they shouldn't have been able to get away with."

"How about the wizards, not telling th muggles the truth? Thats Propaganda right?" said Barry, this was a guess. Of cource he raised his hand

Vanessa put her hand in air again, as she thought about another idea. "Related to the pureblood idea, Could the idea of certain houses being higher than other houses, in the past. This would be have been because it was passed along generations, meaning that when the children came to Hogwarts it meant that if they were sorted into a certain house that they were better than everyone else. Just because what they were told by others"

Hannah Leigh placed her hand in the air again, and smiled.
"Well, a form of positive propoganda might be these pamphlets I saw, at this museum-it was 'how to protect yourself from Voldemort'. From Harry Potter's time."

Abby raises her hand. "The Muggle Studies classes Alecto Carrow could be called propaganda. She painted a false picture of muggle."

Tobi raised his hand again, "By the same token, the entirety of whose-her-face... Professor Umbridge, I think? Her Defence Against the Dark Arts Classes were LOADED with propaganda, in that she said there was no need to learn a practical approach."

Ana raised her hand "And all the things that Umbridge did. That could be propaganda right?"

Copernicus raised his hand. "Professor, many of the things that Muggles believe about magic and magical creatures come from old fairy stories and word of mouth myths that some theorize were spread by past generations to discourage Muggle curiosity."