Dictatorship 101

Stay on message. -- Political campaign guideline

Politics is about control

Control the message, and you control the party.
Control the party, and you control the election.
Control the election, and you control the government.
Control the government, and you control the nation.
Control the nation, and you control the people.

But to control the people, you must control the media.
And to control the media, you must control the message.

   This critique is not aimed at Conservatives or Liberals, Republicans or Democrats, Management or Labor, Capitalists or Socialists. They all do it. In the politics of a dictatorship, it's called propaganda. In business, it's called marketing. Some are more proficient than others, and some are more obvious.
   The danger lies in letting them get away with half-truths and innuendos, as well as outright lies.
   Politicians regularly assail negative news coverage of their activities, especially when reporters expose ironies, inconsistencies and falsehoods in what politicians say and do. Why? Because they cannot control the message. Yet they must use a medium to transmit the message.
   Technology changes things. In the Information Age, it's easy to bypass the traditional print and broadcast media, and not hold press briefings where reporters ask embarrassing questions. Michelle Bachman recently did it by producing and posting a video announcing her decision not to run for re-election to Congress. That way, she had complete control of what was said, how it was said, and how it was presented.
   Keep in mind, though, that it's relatively easy to manipulate the news media. Savvy business and political leaders have been doing it for many years, employing experts in public relations to fashion and tailor the message to best advantage. It's even easier to mold public opinion that is already leaning in your favored direction.
   Consider also that news media do not mold public opinion so much as they reflect it. Or, as the philosopher put it in his treatise on leadership, find out which way the people are heading, and jump in front.

   Thomas Jefferson is reported to have said that given the choice of newspapers without government or government without newspapers, he would choose the former.
   That, however, was said when he was out of office. Once back in power, he signed and used the Sedition Act, which made it a criminal offence to criticize the government.