PRESS AGREEMENT WITH BRITAIN?

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22347, 10 March 1938, Page 11

PRESS AGREEMENT WITH BRITAIN?

REPORTED DESIRE OF HERR HITLER

BERLIN, Mrach 8

"Herr Hitler believes that a gentlemen's press agreement with Britain is not only possible, but desirable if there is to be an improvement in British and German relations," said Dr. Dietrich, the Nazi press chief, when addressing a gathering of foreign correspondents. Dr. Dietrich emphasised that the policy of the German Government towards its own press was greatly misunderstood abroad. "The freedom of the press," as the term was used in other countries, was a phantom, as the foreign press was controlled by capitalists and the journalists were forced to write at their masters' bidding. In Germany journalists were truly free, since individual responsibility was imposed on them, and from this responsibility came freedom. Germany could not at present be expected to restrict her newspapers when she was being insulted abroad on every side. Any foreign correspondent presenting an unbiased and truthful picture of Germany was assured of the Government's support, added Dr. Dietrich. Journalists who through the expression of their own prejudices and opinions, had aroused feelings of dislike and hate against the country which was their host, should not have come to Germany. Admittedly, newspapers could not exist without sensational news, but was not there enough sensationalism in Nazi achievements to satisfy any journalist?