February 19, 2013 (Video Propaganda)

1. Tony Heyward
Propaganda Technique: 
Card Stacking. He doesn't say anything about how BP caused the oil spill or all the damage it created, but it only mentions the good things that came about.

Logical Fallacy: Argument ad populum. He doesn't make any sort of argument about what happened, but he expresses sentiment for the victims.



2. Emeril
Propaganda Technique: 
Testimonial. They use his credibility as a chef and his fame to make themselves look better.

Logical Fallacy: 
Argument from omniscience. He says that everyone is doing their best and helping, when it's not possible for anyone to know that.


3. Olympics

Propaganda Technique: 
Transfer. They attach the positive feelings people have toward the Olympics and the athletes to their company, which really doesn't have those qualities.

Logical Fallacy: 
Red herring. They change the subject, and mention other things rather than the oil spill (which they don't want to talk about).


4. BP Commitment

Propaganda Technique: 
Plain folks. The person who was talking was just a "regular Joe", and he could remind you of yourself or someone you know.

Logical Fallacy: 
Observational Selection. This commercial shows only the good things that happened after the oil spill, not all of the negative consequences.


5. Gulf Coast Tourism

Propaganda Technique:
 Glittering generality. They use meaningless "glad words", like"great" and "best tourism in years." These can't be quantified or proven; they just make themselves look better.

Logical Fallacy: 
Confusion of causation and correlation. They say that the region has benefited from the oil spill because the tourism is doing well. This doesn't necessarily mean that it is because of the oil spill.