Press control and censorship

Question 1

How was freedom of the press restricted?

Answer 1

Govt had ability to confiscate newspapers, journals, magazines or shut them down completely if seen as unfavourable to the fascist regime

Question 2

Which left wing papers were shut down?

Answer 2

Avanti! and L’Unita

Question 3

What were all journalists incorporated into?

Answer 3

a fascist union which controlled access to jobs and promotions

Question 4

What percentage did Fascist newspapers account for in Italy?

Answer 4

10%

Question 5

What was the circulation of Poplo d’Italia in comparison to Corriere della Sera?

Answer 5

100,000 compared to 600,000

Question 6

Why was there little restriction over press?

Answer 6

Mussolini was more interested in controlling newspapers rather than banning them

Question 7

What were the other forms of control over press?

Answer 7

increased subsides for those newspapers who printed positive stories about Mussolini

Question 8

How many registered radio sets were there by 1932?

Answer 8

30,000

Question 9

How many radio sets were there by 1938?

Answer 9

over a million

Question 10

How were radio broadcasts controlled?

Answer 10

State controlled
- FCG member of the Davanzati’s Chronicles of the regime programme interviewed other leading fascists and this was a useful propaganda tool

Question 11

How did these factors help Mussolini control the population?

Answer 11

• Power to suspend publication enforced a sense of self-censorship
• Independence of press was allowed only with Mussolini’s guidance (e.g. not allowed to print stories about traffic accidents, suicides or crime as it would disturb the fascist image of italy
• Had to join the Fascist union or they would loose their jobs

Question 12

How successful was this policy?

Answer 12

• considerably successful in controlling image of Italy, Mussolini and PNF
• Extremely difficult for Italians to view any alternative narratives