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During the time of fascist rule in Italy, the government released media that would justify its authority and encourage popular support. The National Fascist Party, under Benito Mussolini ruled the Kingdom of Italy from 1922 until 1943. The Republican Fascist Party ruled the Italian Social Republic from 1943 to 1945. Post-war, the Italian Social Movement and neo-fascist movements took over. The Fascist government used several different types of media to gain public support. Mussolini's favorite medium to use was film. Unlike German and Russian film, Italian cinema during the Fascist regime was not solely propaganda. Any film that did not discredit Fascist views or undermine Nationalist spirit was allowed in theaters. However, the only films that did not broadcast at least a sublte fascist message were the romantic comedies of the time. Otherwise, the government encouraged filmmakers to include Fascist propaganda in their films with the promise of gaining fully sponsored funding from the government. Mussolini saw himself as a patron of the arts and films.
Propaganda in media displayed Fascism in two different ways; militaristic and structured or gentle and liberal. Where film took the gentle and liberal approach, radio took the militaristic and Nationalist approach. This media allowed the government to control the view through which new was reported to the public. The airwaves blast speeches from Il Duce and his interviews with journalists. This medium was most successful in instilling ideas of Nationalism into the minds of the public.
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Mussolini began his ambitious career as head editor of the socialist magazine Avanti! He used this to spread his ideas by writing political columns, which in turn helped him gain followers to stand behind him. In 1914, he founded Il Popolo d'Italia, the paper that became Mussolini's vehicle for spreading his personal view on local and world events. During his dictatorship, laws were passed against showing Mussolini in an unflattering or degrading way. Also, his name had to always be printed in capital. In 1923, a law was passed giving government officials the power to censor papers and fine owners if their writing "damage[ed] national credit at home or abroad, alarm[ed] and dismay[ed] public opinion, and so disturb[ed] order" (195 Bosworth).
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Propaganda posters were also plastered on every bare surface. A majority of posters displayed a powerful picture of Il Duce with either slogan; "Book and rifle, perfect fascist" or "Mussolini is always right". The slogan most often repeated in Italy was "Credere, Obbedire, Combattere" or "Believe, obey, fight".