PROPAGANDA AS A FACTOR INFLUENCING THE FORMATION OF MILITARY PERSONNEL'S MASS AND COLLECTIVE CONSCIOUSNESS

The role of propaganda in shaping military personnel's mass and collective consciousness has been researched. The concept of propaganda has been examined, and main differences have been defined in the impact of propaganda on mass and collective consciousness. The specificity of propagandistic influence in the military environment and the methods of "friendly" and "enemy" propaganda have been analysed, the methods of "friendly" propaganda aiming at boosting the morale of military personnel, and "enemy" propaganda aiming at destabilization and demoralization. The authors emphasize the importance of critical thinking as a key factor in forming military personnel's resistance to propaganda. The article proposes a comprehensive approach to countering "enemy" propaganda. It highlights the necessity of adhering to ethical principles when using propaganda, especially in democratic societies, and the importance of balancing between supporting morale and the right to objective information.