Publishers - accomplices of governmental manipulation during wartime?
This - I think - is a fascinating timeless topic and I am sure that manipulation exists as long as mankind does.
Censorship and propaganda will always remain the two important instruments to achieve complete control and influence. Unfortunately, "censorship is regarded as the intimidation of marginalized groups by the dominant culture" (Heath: 512) and, therefore, "deprive[s] a great nation of the power to be itself." (Faber: 150)
Heath traced censorship on the basis of obscenity, stating its dependance on the aesthetic conception of one culture which can change through forcing the own view upon others (see colonisation). Furthermore, she reflected on the Suppression of Public Obscenity law 1873, which aimed to promote that 'pure' literature was a sign of a country´s progress (similar to the Obscene Publication Act 1867, reformed in 1959).
We can see that censorship works hand in hand with propaganda: conscious selection of information for the own advantage…survival instinct?
We can see that censorship works hand in hand with propaganda: conscious selection of information for the own advantage…survival instinct?
In wartime periods this combination is important also for the publishing industry. Looking at World War I, how complicit was the publishing industry in supporting British government censorship and propaganda?
Being a publisher then was not easy: paper shortage, increasing production costs, inflation and loss of staff preoccupied the industry; and on top of that, publishers had to chose between patriotic feelings and business interests. This was more than a matter of conscience! Some publishers decided to collaborate with the government, mostly for influence or security, as there was not big money to make and somehow
Being a publisher then was not easy: paper shortage, increasing production costs, inflation and loss of staff preoccupied the industry; and on top of that, publishers had to chose between patriotic feelings and business interests. This was more than a matter of conscience! Some publishers decided to collaborate with the government, mostly for influence or security, as there was not big money to make and somehow
Commerce and profit were important to keep going. But there was also a commitment to the individual conscience, to a sense of public duty, whether it be whole-heartedly in support of the war effort or more censorious about it.(Potter: 24)
Did the publishing industry learn its lesson? The world is in continuous tension, but we could think positive and say
Ever since then, writers have been far more aware of the nature of the modern state and of their responsibility towards truth. A healthy scepticism about group effort in support of a cause is usually to be found in any community of writers. (Buitenhuis: 181-182)
I suppose that this behaviour would influence the publishing industry as well.
Nevertheless, looking at countries in wartime in the 21st century, we can observe that the concept of censorship and propaganda as manipulation instruments still exists. Publishers, writers and artists have become more confident and get protection (although this can be difficult), but censorship extended from books, over press to the internet - the most dangerous enemy of (governmental) manipulation!
Nevertheless, looking at countries in wartime in the 21st century, we can observe that the concept of censorship and propaganda as manipulation instruments still exists. Publishers, writers and artists have become more confident and get protection (although this can be difficult), but censorship extended from books, over press to the internet - the most dangerous enemy of (governmental) manipulation!
I can highly recommend this article, if you would like to read more about this still current topic and how it affects the 21st century! (Published January 3, 2015).
http://www.cjr.org/cover_story/21st_century_censorship.php?page=all
http://www.cjr.org/cover_story/21st_century_censorship.php?page=all
Censored and Banned Books "In fact a list of banned books annually supplied by the Amercian Library Association makes a fantastic reading list." This video explains why some children books were banned throughout the world for ... really strange reasons!! | |
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Bibliography Buitenhuis, Peter. The Great War of Words: Literature as Propaganda, 1814-18 and After. (London: Batsford, 1989). Faber, Geoffrey. A Publisher Speaking. London: Faber & Faber, 1934. Heath, Deana. ‘Obscenity, Censorship and Modernity’ in A Companion to the History of the Book, ed. Simon Eliot and Jonathan Rose (Oxford: Blackwell Publishing, 2007), pp. 508-519. Potter, Jane. ‘For Country, Conscience and Commerce: Publishers and Publishing, 1914–18’ in Publishing in the First World War: Essays in Book History, Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan, 2007, pp. 11-26. | Images: http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://api.ning.com/files/URu8NHgoUwBpCSZn*Bb6FMI0ILUXM3Ycbjo-xjNi3IwTZ7GKJMa76xCQVyf8BCI3EjielB0SZuEMrs391qKCBW4dVq3GCjvy/censorship.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.snipview.com/q/Political%2520censorship&h=352&w=510&tbnid=kmkUftHIdfAjLM:&zoom=1&docid=XbnaPmBwqTRPwM&ei=JSPqVLqZEPDg7Qba4YDoCw&tbm=isch&ved=0CCQQMygGMAY http://www.monacohebdo.mc/14874-etes-vous-manipule http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://collapseofindustrialcivilization.files.wordpress.com/2013/06/tumblr_m0hn9gcj4o1r4nor5o1_500.jpg%253Fw%253D529&imgrefurl=http://collapseofindustrialcivilization.com/2013/06/&h=596&w=495&tbnid=fzYBcUS5QAF7_M:&zoom=1&docid=d_BjdnaTH4R8kM&ei=xxTqVL3HBIbtauWAgdgJ&tbm=isch&ved=0CDoQMygWMBY http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://images.sodahead.com/polls/002610567/5411586250_censorship_xlarge.jpeg&imgrefurl=http://www.sodahead.com/entertainment/favorite-song-about-censorship-propaganda-or-manipulation/question-2610567/&h=300&w=300&tbnid=2WWtmsYwJH-XsM:&zoom=1&docid=xaUPX5V8YMw-SM&itg=1&ei=JSPqVLqZEPDg7Qba4YDoCw&tbm=isch&ved=0CCkQMygLMAs |