BRITISH PROPAGANDA.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 121, 20 April 1940, Page 6

BRITISH PROPAGANDA.

The Nazis are well versed in the art of propaganda, however untruthful or base it may be in the fulfilment of their aims. By films, pictures, and other means the Nazi philosophy has been illustrated, its triumphs and the people’s patriotism towards it shown as the Nazis would have the world believe these to be. Such propaganda ignores the other side of German life—the brutality of Nazidom, the many thousands living pitifully in concentration camps, and the oppression of millions of people under the swastika . Since the war commenced the Nazis have also been quick to picture any triumphs that may have been achieved. Within a day of its outbreak pictures were being sent by radio to the United States; the Polish campaign was another excellent opportunity not to be lost, but no pictures of executions alid other excesses were released. There has been criticism of British methods in contrast to the German use of the camera, and the Norwegian campaign lias provided an opportunity for its renewal. The Dutch Press has published German pictures taken of.'the British destroyer Glowworm on fire after her heroic battle with superior enemy forces. For neutral as well as home consumption, the picture would obviously not tell the true story of the battle, but that does not interest the Nazis. They are concerned with painting a story of German valour and German triumphs. The Dutch and other neutrals may be misled, as they are intended to be by such specious methods, to their own and the Allies’ harm. Such propaganda must be met by more skilful propaganda, according to informed opinion in Britain, and the London Times, in its criticism, emphasises how the daring use of the camera may be most invaluable to the Allies. A picture of the seven German destroyers being sunk at Narvik would prove an inspiring corrective to Nazi propaganda in neutral countries. The Ministry of Information might well be more enterprising and more imaginative in this matter.