Press Control and Censorship in Fascist Italy

Propaganda and Control Mechanisms

• Fascist regime ensured population received its desired messages through:
  • Mass activities of the OND
  • Mass media and culture
  • State-established organizations
• Propaganda became more sophisticated over time.
• Newspapers and radio stations were pressured to only report favorable content.

Mussolini's Aims

• Press: Eliminate any criticism of the Fascist State.
• Propaganda: Create a 'Cult of Ducismo' via Ministry of Popular Culture (Miniculpop).

Press Censorship and Control

• Mussolini, as an editor of 'Il Popolo d’Italia', understood press control.
• Until 1925, limited press freedom, rare criticism of Fascists, authorities bought critical newspapers.
• Post-1925, independent newspapers closed, editors arrested (e.g., Luigi Albertini of Corriere della Sera in 1925).
• Repressive press laws enforced; some critical papers like ‘La Critica’ survived.
• Press Law 1925: Only registered journalists (controlled by Fascists) could write.
• Newspapers monitored by the Fascist Party, opposition messages suppressed.
• Mussolini's press office managed censorship, expanded to Ministry of Press and Propaganda in 1935, renamed Miniculpop in 1937.
• Strict censorship on newspapers, radio, film, theatre, foreign publications.
• Newspapers banned from anti-Fascist opinions, negative stories.
• Focus on superficial matters such as ceremonies and regime policies.
• Catholic newspaper 'Osservatore Romano' had some independence.
• Most censorship self-imposed by editors.

Cinema

• Popularity: Cinema was a major entertainment form in the 1930s.
• 1935 experimental cinematography school in Rome.
• 1934 General Directorate for Cinema (GDC) created, aligned cinema with Fascist ideology.
• 1938 takeover of ‘Cinecittá’, resulting in several Fascist films.
• Most films were escapist, but preceded by regime's propaganda newsreels/documentaries.
• Sporting successes frequently glorified.

Radio

• Important for rural areas, no literacy required.
• Initial stations set up between 1924-1925, popularity grew rapidly.
• By 1932, over 300,000 registered radio sets; over 1 million by 1939.
• 1933 establishment of a special rural radio agency (ERR).
• During WW2, significant expansion with over 2 million sets in public spaces.
• State-controlled broadcasts; used effectively for propaganda.
• Notable program: Roberto Davanzati’s 'Chronicles of the Regime'.
• Majority programming: music, with increased official broadcasts in the 1930s.
• Mussolini's speeches broadcasted live, played in public spaces.
• 1940 police reports indicated people turned to Radio London for anti-Fascist news.