Television and radio broadcasts may aim at spreading the influence of a political ideal or government policies. In a single party state or dictatorship only one political or ideological line may be broadcast, but in a constitutional democracy several may be broadcast, creating confusion from conflicting information. Propaganda may be government information, unrelated or misleading. It may induce apathy, ignorance, conformism, prejudice, idealism, alienation, confusion and conflict. It may also strengthen government control, and existing injustices, inequalities, and exploitation.
Television was a powerful stimulant for change in eastern European countries because of the picture of a prosperous Western society which it carried across the borders.