Introduction
The people of Myanmar, who have endured both triumphs and tribulations, possess profound wisdom and vivid memories about the tactics employed by the junta. Our primary objective is to gather and consolidate these memories, along with lessons learned from similar situations in other countries. This objective has been achieved through comprehensive exploration in the Myanmar language version playbook, and this piece serves as an English translation of brief of the original version. Specifically, it focuses on the current propaganda tactics employed by the junta in Myanmar, with international events only serving as an introductory backdrop.
Throughout history, dictators have employed numerous tactics to manipulate and indoctrinate the public. They utilized various propaganda strategies, making use of platforms like radio, television, stamps, symbols, and even school textbook curricula. Their aim was to convince the oppressed population to trust them and enable their continued rule. These tactics encompassed a wide range of stories and narratives.
With the rise of social media[1] usage, people gained a platform to freely express their opinions. However, this also led to the spread of disinformation, misinformation and propaganda. Particularly, politicians inclined towards dictatorship and the dictators themselves began establishing systematic propaganda machines on social media to manipulate the public. Consequently, the need for fact-checking disinformation and misinformation became urgent and crucial. In the battle against disinformation, it is equally important to proactively address falsehoods through pre-bunking, alongside the process of debunking.
Those who engage in spreading disinformation will persist in using any available tactics. While major issues are often subjected to fact-checking processes, occasionally some may slip through the cracks. This underscores the importance of pre-bunking. To discern whether the content before your eyes is true, false or partly false, it is crucial to closely observe the manipulative tactics employed by dictators. Pay attention to how they exploit people’s faith systems, fears and obsessions, as well as the individuals or organizations they employ to carry out these manipulations. This paper serves the purpose of shedding light on these matters.
This paper gathers four primary narratives employed by the junta to disseminate propaganda. It outlines how they exploit patriotism, nationalism and religion, which are susceptible points for manipulation among the people of Myanmar. Additionally, it explores their historical utilization of the army and dictatorship to assert control and shape the country according to their desires. Furthermore, the article examines how they construct an image of the army as the savior of the nation.
Subsequently, this paper delves into a comprehensive examination of the narratives surrounding elections. It thoroughly explores how dictators exploit elections to manipulate the public, consolidate and maintain their power. Furthermore, it analyzes the current dictator’s employment of elections as a means to manipulate the public. In the final section, the tactics of deception and shifting blame utilized by the junta are summarized.
In addition to describing these tactics, this paper also provides a summary of similar narratives employed by dictators in other countries. After discussing these, it delves into the propaganda narratives used by the Myanmar junta to manipulate the people, and their persistent attempts to maintain their grip on power.
By carefully examining these cases, it is believed that pre-bunking can be achieved by filtering forthcoming “fake news” and determining their reliability. Dictators employ specific “ideologies” when creating and disseminating propaganda and disinformation, tailored to each situation. Although this piece has the nature of a research paper, it is written in a straightforward manner to ensure easy comprehension.
Special appreciation and thanks go to the Red Flag members who assisted in data collection, as well as to everyone who provided support, and also to the translator and the copyeditor.
2023 December.
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