Edward Bernays’s 1929 “Torches of Freedom” march: Myths and historical significance
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
1-1-2015
School
Communication
Abstract
Edward Bernays’s 1929 “Torches of Freedom” March has long been considered a textbook example of the effectiveness of a pseudo-event and media manipulation to advance a cause. However, an examination of news media coverage shows that that although descriptions of the event as being carefully staged are accurate, the idea that the news media fell for the event in a significant way is a Bernays-driven myth. This article argues that although there was indeed significant coverage, it was not nearly as celebratory as Bernays claimed. Moreover, the coverage indicates that the impact of the event was likely never as extensive or persuasive as Bernays and some have suggested.
Publication Title
American Journalism
Volume
32
Issue
3
First Page
258
Last Page
281
Recommended Citation
Murphree, V.
(2015). Edward Bernays’s 1929 “Torches of Freedom” march: Myths and historical significance. American Journalism, 32(3), 258-281.
Available at: https://aquila.usm.edu/fac_pubs/18673