propagandists
Biased information spreaders
Propagandists are people who create or spread propaganda—information designed to promote a particular political cause or point of view rather than present balanced truth.
The term usually carries negative connotations, suggesting manipulation or deception: State propagandists flooded social media with misleading claims.
Someone might self-identify as an advocate or activist but rarely as a propagandist.
One who foments discord
- demagogueManipulative populist leader
- ideologueDogmatic political advocate
- mouthpieceOne who speaks officially
- apologistDefender of a cause
operative · apparatchik · commissar · zealot · partisan · cadre · shill · stooge
Systematic uncritical belief instillation
- disinformationIntentional deceptive falsehoods
- misinformationFalse data spread unintentionally
- brainwashCoercively alter beliefs
- manipulationUnderhanded control of others
spin · agitprop · fearmongering · scapegoating · censorship · dogma · rhetoric · persuasion
One who transmits programs
- journalistNews profession practitioner
- columnistRecurring newspaper feature writer
- punditProfessional opinion-giver
- commentatorBroadcast analyst or narrator
anchor · correspondent · editorialist · blogger · podcaster · influencer · troll · bot
Gathers or recovers
- leaflettingDistributing printed handbills
- canvassingSystematic direct voter outreach
- demonstrationsPublic displays of opinion
- marchesCoordinated rhythmic walking
protests · boycotts · petitions · grassroots · outreach · mobilization · recruitment · sloganeering
Unfair favor toward some
- prejudicePreformed unfavorable opinion
- sectarianismPrejudiced loyalty to subgroups
- chauvinismMilitant devotion to group
- bigotryIntolerance toward differing views
xenophobia · ethnocentrism · nationalism · jingoism · favoritism · partisanship · discrimination · stereotype
agitator
One who foments discord
- demagogueManipulative populist leader
- ideologueDogmatic political advocate
- mouthpieceOne who speaks officially
apologist · operative · apparatchik · commissar · zealot · partisan · cadre · shill · stooge · puppet
indoctrination
Systematic uncritical belief instillation
- disinformationIntentional deceptive falsehoods
- misinformationFalse data spread unintentionally
- brainwashCoercively alter beliefs
manipulation · spin · agitprop · fearmongering · scapegoating · censorship · dogma · rhetoric · persuasion · coercion
broadcaster
One who transmits programs
- journalistNews profession practitioner
- columnistRecurring newspaper feature writer
- punditProfessional opinion-giver
commentator · anchor · correspondent · editorialist · blogger · podcaster · influencer · troll · bot · newsreader
rallies
Gathers or recovers
- leaflettingDistributing printed handbills
- canvassingSystematic direct voter outreach
- demonstrationsPublic displays of opinion
marches · protests · boycotts · petitions · grassroots · outreach · mobilization · recruitment · sloganeering · postering
partiality
Unfair favor toward some
- prejudicePreformed unfavorable opinion
- sectarianismPrejudiced loyalty to subgroups
- chauvinismMilitant devotion to group
bigotry · xenophobia · ethnocentrism · nationalism · jingoism · favoritism · partisanship · discrimination · stereotype · tribalism
- opinion makerspundits, commentators, columnists, editorialists, op-ed writers
- Soviet peoplecosmonauts, cosmonaut, commissar, commissars, Soviet leaders
- manipulatorsmanipulators, brainwashers, gaslighters, controllers, puppeteers
- espionagespy, spies, double agent, double agents, spying
- historical figureshistorical figures, leaders, Abraham Lincoln, Albert Einstein, Joan of Arc
- Berlin figurespoliticians, chancellors, political figures, urban planners
propagandiststruth-tellers
Those who state facts
investigative journalists · fact-checkers · documentarians · chroniclers · historians
propagandistsdebunkers
Those who discredit falsities
whistleblowers · fact-checkers · exposers · muckrakers · truth-seekers