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“Propaganda, Free Expression and the Marketplace of Ideas”
Presented by Moses Klein
Does a concern about black propaganda justify any limitations on freedom of expression?
How do we engage in critical inquiry without being susceptible to misinformation?
Should TIFF and/or TVO screen Russians at War? Why or why not?
Besides Russians at War, what other examples do we have where concerns for a marketplace of ideas conflict with concerns about misinformation or disinformation?
Propaganda is defined as “the deliberate and systematic attempt to influence perception and affect behaviour in ways that further the desired objectives of the propagandist” [Jowett and O’Donnell, Propaganda and Persuasion]. It includes white propaganda (where the source is known openly), grey propaganda (where the source is hidden), and black propaganda (where the source is deliberately misattributed).
HAT's declaration of principles include: “Every individual should be free to inquire into any and all areas of thought, to explore, to challenge, question or doubt.” The author of these questions understands that to include freedom not only from government interference, but from other forces that might limit the range of ideas to which we are exposed.
The French-Canadian documentary film Russians at War shows the Ukraine war through the eyes of Russian soldiers. Some people have called the film Russian propaganda; after protests, TVO removed the film from its lineup. The Toronto International Film Festival initially stood by its inclusion of the film in the Festival programme, but security concerns led it to reschedule the film for a special screening after the Festival had ended.
Some resources for more information:
CBC interview with director Anastasia Trofimova about Russians at War
Haydn Watters reports on the TIFF screening