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 “ilPopolod’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 PieroGobetti 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” [

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!
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