Propaganda works, there is no doubt about that, and constant repetition does also help ‘imprinting an idea upon the memory of a crowd’ (Hitler dixit). Despite what history has taught us, we find it hard to identify when it is actually happening to us. ‘The crisis is over,’ Spanish PM Rajoy keeps insisting, despite the facts (unemployment rates, 28% of population at risk of poverty, etc.). It is surprising how many Spaniards -including clever people I respect- believe Rajoy’s words and repeat the same message without even a shadow of doubt.
Yesterday, a Catalan independence association launched a video called ‘Help Catalonia,’ released right after the imprisonment of two separatist leaders, which replicates frame-by-frame two other videos that went viral: ‘Help Venezuela’ and ‘I am Ukrainian,’ both from 2014.The video is shamelessly full of falsehoods and its main arguments are easy to debunk (this video is just one example).
The campaign may be effective, as Catalan leaders seem to be winning the political discourse battle, not only on the international arena but also at home in Catalonia. However, most Spaniards know how far away from the truth this message actually is, and the fact that it is being widely shared on social media makes us feel gobsmacked. I honestly wonder how many times we have watched a video or read a convincing article about a complex situation beyond our borders, believing what was said, because it was just so much easier than proof checking or trying to comprehend the context on our own. I, as a journalist, am trained to question everything, and to always maintain a critical attitude, but I am also human and therefore not immune to manipulation. If international journalists can be tricked, how can we expect normal people to stay out of ‘the masses’ and think critically?
I would urge our politicians to please stop using people’s feelings to manipulate us and for journalists to keep doing our job: stop propaganda. Catalonia does not need help; Human Rights are not in danger; Spain is a democratic country; both governments [Spain’s and Catalonia’s] should sit down to talk to end this madness, because we are stronger together.
