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Newspapers
- 1923 law made sure that Prefects, who were usually Fascist, made sure that papers contained suitable content. Hostile Journalists could be arrested.
- Popular journalists were given Government grants.
- State controlled what papers did and did not say – for example, reporting crime, disasters and unemployment was forbidden.
- But Fascist party papers never had more than 10% of the overall circulation.
- Catholic Church still had an unchecked newspaper.
- Journalists had to join a Fascist organisation.
Radio
- Originally neglected, but soon Mussolini realised its importance.
- Two hours a day of official broadcasts, though this increased in the 1930’s.
- Mussolini’s speeches were broadcast live.
- Few people had radios, but they were set up in town squares and given to schools.
- Good way of reaching the illiterate.
Cinema
- Slow to realise potential again. LUCE created to produce documentaries etc.
- Before all films was a newsreel, local colour item, and a happy story about animals/children (why don’t we get those anymore?!).
- 1920’s – Italian cinema dominated by USA imports. In 1934 the Gov intervened, more due to Autarky than propaganda.
- Restricted imports, but in 1938 ¾ of ticket sales were still for Hollywood films!
- Initially the Government valued the commercial success over propaganda, e.g. escapist films, and only in the late 1930’s did self-consciously Fascist films appear.
- Films offered the Italians a false sense of security and pride.
Posters
- Again reached illiterate.
- Government had a monopoly on posters.
Rallies
- Instilled a sense of belonging into viewers.
- Showed state as a perfect machine as well as a work of art.
Sport
- Helped discipline, socialised people.
- New stadiums (Roman architecture) were built.
Culture
- Official Fascist art produced. Many artists conformed to enhance their career.
- Still considerable cultural diversity in art.
- Exhibitions were held, and ancient-Rome style buildings helped reinforce the idea of Mussolini as an ancient Roman leader. Also demonstrated stability of regime.
- Literature and drama was left mainly alone, since it did not reach the masses. Music also escaped regimentation despite the Ministry of Pop. Culture supposedly controlling it.
- Mussolini wanted to develop a Philosophy of Fascism. But Fascism had no text explaining its nature!
Conclusion
- Propaganda would have affected different groups in different ways, and was only one factor helping to sustain the regime. It still played a major part in sustaining his regime, and helped to reinforce support gained for other reasons. It can be seen as unable to prevent discontent, though, and the excesses of the *Cult of the Duce led to a decline in Mussolini’s popularity. It can also be seen that Mussolini, like Hitler, ended up believing his own propaganda, and this led to the downfall of his regime.
Comments
These notes are aimed at Edexcel A Level history students for Unit 4 on Mussolini.
Originally written by Forgotmytea on TSR Forums.
