Would you like to play in the orchestra?
Student sources
STEP 1. The orchestra: excerpt from Mussolini’s speech to the
newspaper editors held in Palazzo Chigi, Rome, on 10th October
1928, reported the next day by “il Popolo d’Italia”, newspaper
founded by Mussolini himself in 1914.
The leader, greeted by vibrant cheers, delivered the following speech:
Comrades! Gentlemen!
This important meeting of journalists of the Regime takes place only at the end of
the year 6 [1928].
(…)
I consider Italian journalism as an orchestra.
The “LA” [the A note] is common. And that "LA" is not given by the government
through its press office, under some kind of inspiration or suggestion before the
daily contingencies; it is a "LA" that fascist journalism gives to itself. It knows how
to serve the regime.
He does not await for the slogan day by day. He has it in his consciousness. But given
the "LA" there is the diversity of the instruments and it is precisely in their diversity
that we avoid the cacophony and you produce instead the full and divine harmony.
In addition to instruments' then there is the diversity of temperaments of the
artists; useful diversity, as it adds, imponderable but vital, in order to make a more
perfect execution. Each newspaper must become an instrument defined that is
recognizable in the large orchestra.
STEP 2. Reaching the harmony: the tools.
1.
Example of Fascist ravage to political parties’ or newspapers’ headquarters, during
the March on Rome (October 1922).
Such kinds of action against opponents were common before and after the seizure of
power, approximately from 1919 to 1926, throughout Italy.
2.
The journalist and deputy Giovanni Amendola [on the left] and the journalist and
editor Piero Gobetti died in France in 1926; they had fled there, after being severely
beaten by Fascists.
3.
The Communist Party’s newspaper, “l’Unità”, founded by Antonio Gramsci in 1924,
went on to be published for a couple of years despite intimidation, boycott and
requisition. It strongly criticized the Fascist policy. In the picture on the left, the
front page of 4th January 1925, the day after the regime’s commitment to
totalitarianism:
“Fascism
will
not
redeem
itself
through
terror”
[http://archivio.unita.it/]
At the end of 1926, on the pretext of some attempts on Mussolini’s life, every
opposition newspaper was forbidden. Most of them continued underground or
abroad. Some laws to put the press under control had already been established at
different times, since 1923.
4.
From 1924 to 1943, the Press Agency Stefani was under Fascist control. Known as the
regime’s voice, it became more and more influential, especially since 1930, sending
daily strong suggestions to the press through the so-called “veline”: thin sheets
containing directions to be observed about news. The press was required to show
Italy as a healthy, upstanding and well-ordered society, striving for a common goal.
5.
After the Royal Decree n. 384, 26th February 1928, a professional register (“albo”)
for journalists was established, in order to better control them. They were already
obliged to become members of the Fascist National Union and of the Fascist National
Party.
6.
Since 1922 Mussolini had created the Premier’s Press Office. Being himself a
journalist, he was aware of the value to control information. Nevertheless, only in
1935, a specific Ministry of Press and Propaganda was established, led by Galeazzo
Ciano, Mussolini’s son-in-law [in the picture]. Two years later, it became the Ministry
of Popular Culture (MinCulPop), led by Dino Alfieri, then by Alessandro Pavolini and
eventually by Gaetano Polverelli, while Ciano became Minister of Foreign Affairs.
STEP 3. Did they reach the harmony? The outcomes.
Event n. 1 – Friday 4th October 1935: Newspapers report the Italian Invasion of
Abyssinia
CORRIERE DELLA SERA
IMMEDIATE RESPONSE TO THE ETHIOPIAN MOBILIZATION
Italian troops occupy advanced positions beyond our lines
The word of supreme justice spoken by the Duce and the fascist people’s
tremendous shout are continuing to arise the deepest echo in the world
The historical hour of Italian Nation has struck
il Resto del Carlino
“WE HAVE BEEN PATIENT FOR FOURTY YEARS. THAT’S ENOUGH”
Italy responds to the continued and bloody aggression by Ethiopia
occupying some advanced positions beyond our lines in Eritrea
L’AVVENIRE D’ITALIA
Italian troops are advancing into East Africa
to occupy certain positions beyond our border lines
The General Staff was ordered to mobilize following the Abyssinian mobilization
All three of them report the official press release (COMUNICATO N. 10) by the
Ministry of Press and Propaganda (issued through Stefani Agency):
THE OFFICIAL BULLETIN
ROME, 3rd night
The Ministry of Press and Propaganda issued the following official bulletin N. 10:
The order of general mobilization in Ethiopia - issued under pressure of the leaders’
and followers’ warlike and aggressive spirit, who since long time have been claiming
end eventually imposed warfare against Italy - is a direct and immediate threat to
the Italian troops based in our two colonies in East Africa.
The threat is worsened by the fact that the creation of a buffer zone, announced by
Addis Ababa with specious arguments, is actually a strategic plan in order to better
muster the Abyssinian troops and prepare an aggression.
The continued and bloody aggression, endured by Italy during the last decades
according to the Italian memorial, is escalating into a larger phase, whose serious
and immediate dangers are obvious, and elementary safety reasons require action
without delay.
The General Staff in Eritrea has therefore been ordered to act accordingly. Italian
troops are occupying certain advanced positions, beyond our lines. (Stefani)
Event n. 2- Tuesday 11th June 1940: Italy enters the war
CORRIERE DELLA SERA
“ITALIAN PEOPLE RUSH TO ARMS”
Dazzling announcement by the Duce
The war against Great Britain and France
From the Alps to the Indian Ocean
One shout of faith and passion: Duce!
We shall win
Warm messages from Hitler to the King and to Mussolini
il Resto del Carlino
LONG LIVE THE DUCE FOUNDER OF THE EMPIRE!
FASCIST WAR
Italy up in arms against France and Great Britain
Mussolini to Italians yearning for combat: “It is the struggle
of the poor people and great in number against the exploiters”
“The watchword: to Win!”
L’AVVENIRE D’ITALIA
The time of Italy
TO WIN!
is the watchword launched by the
Duce
to the people while announcing the
successful delivery of the WAR DECLARATION to
Great Britain and France
The speech
DUTY
Il Gazzettino
ITALY IS AT WAR FROM TODAY
WITH GREAT
BRITAIN AND FRANCE
The Duce is calling the people to arms
to break the chains in our Sea
“Proletarian and fascist Italy is standing for
the third time strong, proud and firm as
never before”
Overwhelming enthusiasm shown towards the King Emperor and the
Duce
LA STAMPA
THE DUCE SPOKE
The declaration of war
on England and France
“We take the field against the plutocratic and
reactionary Western democracies”
Switzerland, Yugoslavia, Greece, Turkey, Egypt, as
long as we are concerned, will not be involved in the
conflict. - “The watchword is one: to win. And we
shall win”
Telegrams from Hitler to the King and to the Duce