❗️Opposition mockers, hold on tight!❗️
☝️We know that according to them, the government raised the terror alert level after the outbreak of the Iranian crisis unnecessarily, purely to scare people.
❗️Compared to that, what does Europol, the EU’s law-enforcement agency, say?
📍 Because of the Iranian conflict, the risk of terrorist attacks in the European Union has increased.
📍 Attacks could be carried out by lone actors or terrorist cells.
📍 If the Iranians reach a point of desperation, they may resort to terrorist attacks aimed at creating chaotic conditions.
📍 The risk of cyberattacks targeting Western infrastructure and businesses may also increase further if the conflict drags on.
☝️I’m not the one saying this — Europol issued this warning yesterday!
🤡 And the Tisza supporters, or perhaps the DK supporters who are laughing about it, should thank the Hungarian security services and experts for doing everything they can to protect their lives as well.
🎭 Propaganda and Influence Techniques in Balázs’s Message
The text is a classic security-fear–based political communication.
It does not present new information; instead, it uses an international news item to justify the government’s narrative and delegitimize the opposition.
The main narrative of the communication:
➡️ Government = responsible, protective
➡️ Opposition = ridiculous, irresponsible
Below are the most important techniques listed point by point.
1️⃣ Enemy framing and ridicule (ridicule framing)
Excerpt
“❗️Opposition laughers, hold on tight now❗️”
“🤡 Tisza or perhaps DK laughers”
Technique
👉 political ridicule / delegitimization
Goal
To portray opposition actors not as debate partners, but as ridiculous figures.
Effect
Readers may form the impression:
➡️ “the opposition is stupid or unserious.”
This reduces the likelihood that readers will seriously consider the opposition’s arguments.
2️⃣ Fear appeal (security fear appeal)
Excerpt
“the risk of terrorist attacks has increased”
“terrorist attacks causing chaotic conditions”
“risk of cyberattacks”
Technique
👉 fear-based communication
Goal
To emphasize a security threat.
Effect
The emotional reaction of the reader may include:
- fear
- uncertainty
- defensive reflex
This psychological state makes the audience more receptive to political messages about order and protection.
3️⃣ Appeal to authority
Excerpt
“I’m not the one saying this — Europol warned about it.”
Technique
👉 appeal to authority
Goal
To increase the credibility of the political claim.
The message is framed as:
➡️ “not propaganda”
➡️ “a professional warning”.
Effect
Readers are less likely to question the claim because it is linked to an international institution.
4️⃣ Selective use of information (cherry picking)
Technique
👉 selecting a single source
Goal
From a complex geopolitical situation, highlight only the elements that support the political narrative.
Effect
The audience may get the impression:
➡️ “all experts say the same thing.”
In reality, the full professional picture may be far more nuanced.
5️⃣ Narrative reframing (political reframing)
The logic of the communication
Iran conflict
→ terrorism risk
→ government action
→ ridicule of the opposition
Technique
👉 building a narrative chain
Goal
To lead the audience toward the conclusion that:
➡️ the government is foresighted and responsible
➡️ the opposition is reckless and dangerous.
6️⃣ “We protect you” rhetoric
Excerpt
“domestic security services and experts are doing everything to protect their lives as well”
Technique
👉 paternalistic political rhetoric
Goal
To reinforce the role of the government as:
➡️ a protective state
➡️ facing ungrateful critics.
Effect
The audience may develop the perception:
➡️ “the government works to protect us, while the opposition only mocks.”
7️⃣ Us–them polarization (ingroup vs. outgroup)
Structure
Us
- security services
- experts
- government
Them
- “Tisza supporters”
- “DK supporters”
- “laughers”
Technique
👉 group polarization
Goal
To emotionally bind readers to their own political camp.
Summary
The post is a classic example of political security propaganda, combining four main tools:
1️⃣ fear appeal (terrorism)
2️⃣ appeal to authority (Europol)
3️⃣ ridiculing the opposition
4️⃣ protective state narrative
The final message of the communication is:
➡️ the government protects the country
➡️ the opposition is unserious and dangerous.