Press control and censorship

Question 1

1923-25

Answer 1

1923-25: PNF introduced decrees restricting freedom of press in Italy

Question 2

1926

Answer 2

• 1926: decrees formalised into official laws sanctioned by parliament
• Prefects could confiscate whole editions of any newspaper, journal or magazine which was unfavourable to fascist regime
• Could suspend publication, replace editors and shut down offending newspapers completely

Question 3

newspapers

Answer 3

Left wing newspapers (Avanti!, Partito Popolare) were closed

Question 4

journalists

Answer 4

All journalists incorporated into fascist union (controlled access to jobs and promotions)
• Enforced self- censorship, journalists must join fascists to ensure work was positive to Mussolini, otherwise, they’d lose job
• Mussolini’s press officer sent into on what should be written
• Journalists told not to post print stories on crime, suicides, traffic accidents; this would spoil image of fascist Italy with no
social problems

Question 5

controlling press

Answer 5

• Mussolini more interested in controlling press than banning newspapers
• Fascist newspaper Popolo d’Italia had 100,000 compared to 600,000 for Corriere della Sera and 250,000 for Vatican
newspaper

Question 6

subsidies

Answer 6

Increased subsidies for newspapers which printed positively stories about Mussolini
• Strict guidance for independent newspapers, editor was fearful of consequences of not following press office directives
• Regime successful in controlling image of Italian society, PNF and Mussolini, difficult for public to view alternative narrative