PRESS AND RADIO

Evening Star, Issue 22882, 14 February 1938, Page 2

PRESS AND RADIO

CONTROLLED IN ITALY THE WORK OF PROPAGANDA FREEDOM NOT VALUED Propaganda is one of the most important gavcrnmental activities in Italy, writes Edward B. Hitchcock in the ‘ Christian Science Monitor.’ Rome had its Ministry of Press and Propaganda for a long time. It was recently changed as to name, becoming the Ministry of Culture. _ In its offices are centred Press, radio, and cinema, three of the foremost propaganda agencies in the world to-day. It has been said that the prime purpose of the propaganda bureaux in Italy is for the manufacture of obedience—that is, for the regimentation of thinking. The actual suppression of any opposition is allocated to other departments of the Government. Of course, his long training as a journalist told Signor Mussolini how to operate a Ministry of Propaganda, what to print in the papers of the country—and, perhaps, what is more important, what not to print—what sort of publicity to put on the air and on the screen. ■* The Fascists appreciate fully the value of what might be called positive propaganda, that which will get the quickest reaction from the people of their country. Certain types or news are never printed in the Press of Italy, Other kinds get special twists for home consumption. Not even a Fascist with blinders would pretend that the Italian Press is anything but absolutely obedient to the present Administration. It could not be otherwise after 15 years of domiua-, tion by the one party that permits of no opposition, and must have absolute unanimity in its printed word. “ Why, of course, our Press is unanimously behind Mussolini, and absolutely with the Fascist regime I If it were not: so,- what 'has been accomplished could not have been done. , A united Press is essential to the success of such a rule as has been found neces-. sary for Italy. That is plain logic, and should be understandable even among your democrats.” NEWS AND POLICY. This was the expression voiced by an extremely intelligent man who has 'not always been so ardent a friend to the Fascist regime as he is to-day, hut who now believes that nothing else can succeed in Italy, and is giving his whole-hearted support to the present Government. It shows the point of view that generally obtains throughout the country. Also that where freedom of the Press has never been highly valued by the people it is not greatly missed. One of the big troubles that faces foreign Press correspondents in Italy is their inability to get news while it is news, unless it happens to_ fit into the Government’s plan to give publicity to the facts. The Press Ministry simply will not give out any information. And that’s that. In a moment of crisis—or until governmental policy has been fully determined—all official lips are sealed. Many a foreign correspondent in Rome has often grinned wryly to find himself listening to news about Italy t broadcast from England which was news to him! When the moves on the diplomatic chessboard were being made between London and Rome for friendly cooperation late in July and early in August, the correspondents found every official mouth shut and fingers to lips. For several days after the rest of the world had the news that the difficulties between Rome and London were in way of settlement, the correspondents in the Italian capital could send nothing authoritative to their home papers

J/ ' -t, ’ because they coutcl get nothing frora! anyone in authority at Ptome. The Ministry of Press and Propaganda was awaiting oh. word, from?: the Foreign Ministry and the Foreign Ministry was waiting permission from the Duce to tell about jt a 11..; There have been, occasions when important papers have been forbidden in Italy, when they could not be sold on the street. There have been times when foreign correspondents have been called up on the carpet to explain something they have written. Usually,-however, the correspondent of a reputable foreign newspaper finds only most gallant and friendly treatment by Government officials. FOREIGN ASSOCIATION. The Foreign Press Association in Romo has fine quarters, the upkeep of which is partly met by the* Government. In that building are the office* of some of the most important newspapers in the world.- On the first floor is the association’s club room where: the members can meet for social contacts of one sort and another. A kind of mezzanine runs around a central dome where the telegraph and telephone instruments are installed and where the correspondents can get their official news as it is issued to them. It is all very comfortable and convenient^—if only they could get the news they want when they want it/ Absolute control cannot be exercised over the foreign correspondents who are serving other than Italian papers in Italy. But the Rome Government can ban the entry and sale -of such papers_if it wishes, to suppress either an unfriendly attitude by some publication or to punish a correspondent who has been obdurate. Broadcasting is under Government control and dictation. The Government has all the time it wants for its ‘ Chronicle of the Regime,’ and l no opposition party could get the air for its side of the story. But, then, there is no opposition. , The' same thing is true of the movies where the various ramifications of the Fascist movements have all the time their opponents think necessary and everything'else must give way. Not only-is there no opposition to Fascism in Italy, but the Law on Associations of November 26, 1925, dealt with/' parties, groups, and'political organisations in general, unless merely temporary.” . __ ~ * : V SLOGANS EVERYWHERE. At anv rate, it is stated that there is no Masonic organisation continuing its meetings to-day in Italy, unless the members operate subterraneanly as the early Christians used to do in their use of the catacombs. It is claimed that all secret societies have in fact been stamped out. Fascist slogans are seen everywhere in Italy. There is scarcely a blank wall of any size that does not have its propaganda in big black letters. And the words “ Duce ” and “ Dux.” often alone, but sometimes with the word “Re” (for King), are also everywhere. Several of these were especially significant, as, for instance, that one which wo read first as we came into the harbour of Palermo: “ To others the Medi-. terranean may be just a road, but to us it is life,” and “We are ready to march on the way of Empire ” Much of this propaganda bristles with threat. As: “ Molti nemici, mdlto honore ” “Many enemies, much honour ”; and! “ Who isn’t willing to die for his country isn’t worth living in it.” To see those three staccato words of, tlm Balilla, “Credere, Obbedire, Combattere,” on wall after wall, was effective, Those words mean: “To believe, to obey, to fight.” They say the Italians believe in their leadership, and. believing, they will obey and fight for it if necessary.