. The primary task of the newspapers under the fascist regime was, therefore, to model this fascist image as an appealing reality. To actualize the project, in the early years of the regime, Mussolini decided to buy the major Italian newspapers. Direct control was definitely the best way. Also, formal control of the newspapers was guided by rigid pre-set rules and formalities, according to a present program. The road that led to the total control of the press was long and not without problems. The first coercive measures were introduced after the tragic events that followed the kidnapping and murder of Matteotti. However, it was the violent press campaign against the government that gave the incentive for more decisive action to muzzle the press. Between 1924 and 1925, first with a Royal Decree and then with the "leggi fascistissime", Mussolini had an important breakthrough in his attempt to control the newspapers. In these two years, he created conditions that included acts of force to control the publications: the newspaper seizures; the creation of the post of managing director (whose investiture was the prerogative of Mussolini) replacing the manager, and the establishment of the Order of Journalists– a register of all practising journalists. (Zita, 2003 p.3) Mussolini had embarked on the path of total suppression of press freedom. His first goal in these early years was to silence and to ensure its service to the liberal bourgeoisie and begin the printing process regimentation.
Candidate number: 160...