Censorship
Censorship is the suppression of free speech, public communication or other information which may be considered objectionable, harmful, sensitive, politically incorrect or inconvenient as determined by governments, media outlets, authorities or other groups or institutions.
In order to keep morale, money and courage high, governments were forced to lay heavy censors upon information going in and out of their countries, and publish propaganda to persuade society of pro-war emotions.
As a result of strict laws enforcing censorship during the First World War, many people were arrested and/or killed because of their views and actions against the government.
In order to keep morale, money and courage high, governments were forced to lay heavy censors upon information going in and out of their countries, and publish propaganda to persuade society of pro-war emotions.
As a result of strict laws enforcing censorship during the First World War, many people were arrested and/or killed because of their views and actions against the government.
CENSORSHIP IN BRITAIN
Censorship was used to suppress the opinion or view, opposite to what the British government was presenting on propaganda. Censorship was authorised in Britain by Defence of the Realm Act (DORA) on the 8th of August 1914, to bring in new social controls, imprisonment without trials, commandeer resources and censorship.
In Britain, in 1916 the Press Bureau was replaced with a special Press Censorship Office. At the same time the British War Office founded MI7, a propaganda department, which included a section of censorship of military matters.
In Britain, civilian correspondence was also censored and in 1918 between 4,000 and 5,000 persons were employed to do so. Their most important target were war opponents such as Bertrand Russel and Edmund Dene Morel, who tried to publish articles condemning war, and were later jailed. Censors in Britain, and Germany were entitled to send the police to search the houses of suspects and to confiscate ‘dangerous material.’
In Britain, in 1917 the government unleashed a propaganda campaign against demand for a peace agreement with Germany.
Mens letters at the front line were subject to having them opened without permission, censored and were either sent or destroyed, depending on the content. Anything that undermined the British government, communicated the harsh nature of war, the amount of causalities or tactics were destroyed, and men punished. Overall, censorship allowed further controls on the front line and home front. Stories that detailed successes emphasised gains, which were made out to be bigger than what they were. Reporters on the front line were only allowed to report if they submitted to DORA and their work being censored.
In Britain, in 1916 the Press Bureau was replaced with a special Press Censorship Office. At the same time the British War Office founded MI7, a propaganda department, which included a section of censorship of military matters.
In Britain, civilian correspondence was also censored and in 1918 between 4,000 and 5,000 persons were employed to do so. Their most important target were war opponents such as Bertrand Russel and Edmund Dene Morel, who tried to publish articles condemning war, and were later jailed. Censors in Britain, and Germany were entitled to send the police to search the houses of suspects and to confiscate ‘dangerous material.’
In Britain, in 1917 the government unleashed a propaganda campaign against demand for a peace agreement with Germany.
Mens letters at the front line were subject to having them opened without permission, censored and were either sent or destroyed, depending on the content. Anything that undermined the British government, communicated the harsh nature of war, the amount of causalities or tactics were destroyed, and men punished. Overall, censorship allowed further controls on the front line and home front. Stories that detailed successes emphasised gains, which were made out to be bigger than what they were. Reporters on the front line were only allowed to report if they submitted to DORA and their work being censored.
CENSORSHIP IN GERMANY
Censorship in Germany during WW1 was controlled by the government, in their attempt to stop any opposition expressing their views ‘unnecessarily irritating the national temper’. Censorship, similar to Britain, was used to keep the soldiers and citizens of Germany united and keep a positive view of the war effort.
In December 1914 the Deputy Commanding Generals were advised by Department of censorship that: ‘Censorship should only seek to prevent exaggerations, distortion, and lack of judgment ...which could either arouse false hopes at home or provide encouragement to the enemy.’
Censorship was mainly used in Germany in newspapers, and written texts. Military commanders set up press and censorship departments and local police departments were used as their executive branches. The military intelligence service, coordinated all censorship efforts and ensured texts did not report on negative things about the war, or the conditions of the war. Newspapers were required to report on the successes of the German army, not its defeats and write articles that build morale. Newspapers had not been able to openly discuss the reasons for war, much of the information from the front and peace efforts.
Newspapers were not even allowed to report on who or how many people died during the way. Even peace negotiations or conventions were banned from being reported on. News was removed about peace conventions in Britain and Switzerland, along with many more.
When Germans found out about the true conditions of the war, mutinies and protests were common, especially towards the end of the war. In the last days of October, 1918, no amount of censorship could stop the German army and citizen mutiny/revolution against the war and their political leaders.
Interesting facts:
- Weather forecasts were kept under strict censorship as they could affect military operations significantly.
- Even before 1914, all media outlets in Germany were censored.
In December 1914 the Deputy Commanding Generals were advised by Department of censorship that: ‘Censorship should only seek to prevent exaggerations, distortion, and lack of judgment ...which could either arouse false hopes at home or provide encouragement to the enemy.’
Censorship was mainly used in Germany in newspapers, and written texts. Military commanders set up press and censorship departments and local police departments were used as their executive branches. The military intelligence service, coordinated all censorship efforts and ensured texts did not report on negative things about the war, or the conditions of the war. Newspapers were required to report on the successes of the German army, not its defeats and write articles that build morale. Newspapers had not been able to openly discuss the reasons for war, much of the information from the front and peace efforts.
Newspapers were not even allowed to report on who or how many people died during the way. Even peace negotiations or conventions were banned from being reported on. News was removed about peace conventions in Britain and Switzerland, along with many more.
When Germans found out about the true conditions of the war, mutinies and protests were common, especially towards the end of the war. In the last days of October, 1918, no amount of censorship could stop the German army and citizen mutiny/revolution against the war and their political leaders.
Interesting facts:
- Weather forecasts were kept under strict censorship as they could affect military operations significantly.
- Even before 1914, all media outlets in Germany were censored.