--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The first modern propaganda agency was…" description: "\"The first modern propaganda agency was the British Ministry of Information a century ago, which secretly defined its task as to direct the thought of m..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e1c/noam-chomsky-42_agency_the-first-modern-propaganda-agency-was-t_1936667.jpg" --- # The first modern propaganda agency was the British… ![“The first modern propaganda agency was the British Ministry of Information a century ago, which secretly defined its task as to direct the thought of most of the world - primarily progressive American intellectuals, who had to be mobilized to come to the aid of Britain during World War I.” quote by Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e1c/noam-chomsky-42_agency_the-first-modern-propaganda-agency-was-t_1936667.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e1c/noam-chomsky-42_agency_the-first-modern-propaganda-agency-was-t_1936667.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e1c/noam-chomsky-42_agency_the-first-modern-propaganda-agency-was-t_1936667.jpg) > “The first modern propaganda agency was the British Ministry of Information a century ago, which secretly defined its task as to direct the thought of most of the world - primarily progressive American intellectuals, who had to be mobilized to come to the aid of Britain during World War I.” [Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noam-chomsky/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The British Ministry of Information covertly aimed to shape global thought, especially among progressive American intellectuals, during WWI. **In simple terms:** Propaganda can manipulate intellectuals. Key Takeaway Recognize hidden influence. Themes politics media propaganda Mood critical skeptical Type analytical historical When to use this quote - modern media ecosystems - academic discourse Key Concepts information control ideological influence historical analysis Questions to Reflect On - How can we detect subtle propaganda today? - What responsibilities do intellectuals have? A Different Perspective Assumes uniform susceptibility. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Brilliant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/brilliant/) [Britain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/britain/) [British](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/british/) [Ministry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ministry/) [Propaganda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/propaganda/) [War](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/war/) [War of the worlds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/war-of-the-worlds/) [World](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/world/) [World war](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/world-war/) ## Related quotes > [The British ministry can read that name without spectacles; let them double their reward.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-hancock/the-british-ministry-can-read-that-name-without-spectacles-let-them/) [John Hancock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-hancock/) > [“Garry Kasparov, the Russian chess grandmaster and Putin opponent who said, “The point of modern propaganda isn’t only to misinform or push an agenda.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hillary-rodham-clinton/garry-kasparov-the-russian-chess-grandmaster-and-putin-opponent-who/) [Hillary Rodham Clinton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hillary-rodham-clinton/) > [The aim of modern propaganda is no longer to modify ideas, but to provoke action.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacques-ellul/the-aim-of-modern-propaganda-is-no-longer-to-modify-ideas-but-to/) [Jacques Ellul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacques-ellul/) > [The goal of modern propaganda is no longer to transform opinion but to arouse an active and mythical belief](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacques-ellul/the-goal-of-modern-propaganda-is-no-longer-to-transform-opinion-but/) [Jacques Ellul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacques-ellul/) > [“The point of modern propaganda isn't only to misinform or push an agenda. 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