The purpose of this discussion is to describe and analyze the changes that Fascism has brought to the printing industry.
It will include a description and evaluation of the means used by Mussolini for general control of the media and the impact that Fascism has had on the Italian national press. Examples of pro-fascist newspapers and other anti-fascists will be presented. These will explain the reasons why one led to the other, how the new rules imposed by Mussolini were adapted to, and outline propaganda contrary to fascism.
Finally, the discussion will conclude with a brief reflection on the results achieved over the years through control of the media. The monopoly of information and the importance given to propaganda techniques were typical aspects of the fascist dictatorship. Large-scale propaganda accounted for the success of the dictatorship. The fascist authoritarian system flourished due to a strong communicative ability, through which, total control of information and culture was gained. The fascist control expanded over all means of communication considered important to modern society particularly, the cinema, radio and the press. Not any form of freedom of expression was left unmonitored
or unaddressed. Mussolini invested in every sector to ensure that the regime received the maximum benefit. Before becoming the Duce, Mussolini was a journalist. He served as director of "L’Avanti!" and the "Popolo d’Italia" therefore, he was aware of the influential role of the press in society. (Forgacs,1990 p.72) Thus, he knew that control of all communication by the press would assert his power, and create the roots for a strong regime.
The press, like other media, had a great ability to persuade the masses. Typically, by the suggestion of thoughts often presented with a coated image. To “fascistize” the Italian population it was necessary to alter the collective memory, proposing a new identity: neo-Roman, Italian and Fascist...