Quote Originally Posted by Rob Thornton View Post
...Black propaganda is propaganda that purports to be from a source on one side of a conflict, but is actually from the opposing side. It is typically used to vilify, embarrass or misrepresent the enemy. It contrasts with grey propaganda, the source of which is not identified, and white propaganda, in which the real source is declared. The term is also sometimes used as a synonym for particularly malicious wartime propaganda or falsification of information that is captured by an enemy.

Black propaganda may be generated by altering genuine enemy propaganda in such a way as to distort its message. This is a particularly powerful tool if the target audience has a poor understanding of the language of the enemy...
That is a slightly narrow description of one aspect of old fashioned propaganda ops, which our PSYOP members can probably shed a great deal more light on.

In my experience, there are three types of propaganda, each of which has its use and can be very effective when properly implemented:

Black Propaganda: Information deliberately disseminated in ways that conceal the true sponsor and identify a false source. Note that this is not as narrow as the definition above: the false source does not have to be "the enemy" or "the opposing side". Context is critical.

Grey Propaganda: Iinformation disseminated in ways that do not specifically identify any source. This is very common in today's information environment - the 'net is brimming with unsourced information. In this context, it is placement that is key.

White Propaganda: Information disseminated in ways that identify the true sponsor/source. In my personal, biased opinion, this one requires a great deal more careful thought to be implemented effectively. Careful structuring of statements/articles and proper placement and timing do not come easy in the strategic context. And, when putting it out using a true source, if it ain't done right it can end up having the opposite of the intended effect.