Media, propaganda and religion: state control of mass media and…

The idea

This topic examines how Soviet leaders used media, propaganda and attacks on religion to control society, and how they built personality cults. State control of mass media meant the Communist Party owned newspapers such as Pravda, ran radio and later television, and censored all output. Propaganda promoted socialist achievements, Five-Year Plans and loyalty to the Party, while suppressing criticism. Attacks on religious beliefs and practices included closing churches and mosques, arresting clergy, and promoting atheism through organisations like the League of Militant Atheists. Personality cults presented Stalin as an infallible genius, Khrushchev as a reforming leader, and Brezhnev as a steady statesman.

What earns the marks

• Explains that state control of mass media involved Party ownership of press, radio and television, with censorship bodies such as Glavlit removing unacceptable material.
• Describes propaganda methods: posters, films, novels and youth organisations that presented Soviet successes and demonised opponents.
• Analyses attacks on religious beliefs and practices, including closure of places of worship, persecution of clergy and anti-religious campaigns.
• Compares personality cults: Stalin’s cult emphasised infallibility and fear; Khrushchev’s cult stressed reform and de-Stalinisation; Brezhnev’s cult projected stability and competence.
• Evaluates how far these methods maintained control, noting that repression and surveillance also underpinned media and religious policy.

Common mistakes and how to put them right

• Treating all three cults as identical.

  Put it right: Identify differences in tone, purpose and extent, such as Stalin’s use of terror versus Brezhnev’s emphasis on calm leadership.

• Assuming religion was completely eliminated.

  Put it right: Recognise that some churches remained open under state supervision and that believers continued to practise privately.

• Confusing propaganda with education.

  Put it right: Distinguish between indoctrination through media and the actual schooling system, though both served Party aims.

Exam tips

• Use specific examples, such as Pravda articles or the League of Militant Atheists, to support arguments about control.
• When comparing cults, organise paragraphs by leader or by theme to show clear analysis of change over time.
• Link media and religion to the broader theme of control, explaining how they complemented secret police and censorship.