What is propaganda primarily intended to do?

Propaganda is primarily intended to manipulate people with misleading messages. It often uses emotional appeals, selective facts, or exaggerated claims to shape public opinion or behavior in favor of a particular agenda or viewpoint. The goal of propaganda is not to inform or present balanced perspectives but to persuade and influence an audience, often by presenting information in a way that supports a specific narrative while disregarding opposing viewpoints or evidence.

In contrast, the other choices focus on objectives that are generally aimed at providing truthful and fair information. For example, informing the public typically involves presenting facts and data clearly, which is fundamentally different from the strategic distortion that propaganda embodies. Likewise, encouraging critical thinking requires individuals to assess information independently and evaluate different viewpoints, a process that propaganda seeks to undermine by steering people toward a predetermined conclusion. Lastly, delivering unbiased information suggests a commitment to neutrality and factual accuracy, which directly contradicts the manipulative nature of propaganda.