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3. Press Control and Censorship

Jan 30, 2025

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.