Goebbels' Principles of Propaganda #7

CREDIBILITY ALONE MUST DETERMINE WHETHER PROPAGANDA OUTPUT SHOULD BE TRUE OR FALSE

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According to Goebbels, a propagandist must tell the truth whenever possible. It reduces the chance of being proven wrong.

When lying, make it something that can’t be disproven. From Leonard W. Doob’s article that synthesizes Goebbels’ propaganda tactics:

To induce Italians to leave the areas occupied by English and American forces and then to shanghai them into Germany as workers, Goebbels broadcast the claim that "the English and Americans will compel all men of draft age to enlist"

The propagandist must be ever careful of appearing truthful. Even when speaking about what really happened. It is seeming to be honest that is critical, and not whether or not you actually are. From Leonard W. Doob’s classic article:

Goebbels was afraid to inform the Germans that General Rommel had not been in Africa during the closing days of the campaign there: "everybody thinks he is in Africa; if we now come out with the truth when the catastrophe is so near, nobody will believe us"

Special announcements must really be special...