How a pliant media enables the rise of authoritarianism
In the post-truth era, Indian TV news channels have slowly turned into an extension of the state.
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Highlight how the Duce wasnât at all tired after threshing for four hours,â reads one of the veline. Some others go: âNever care about anything concerning Einsteinâ, âDo not mention in todayâs reporting the ballet the Duce attended in Belluno.â
The Italian word
veline means tissue paper but during the rule of Benito Mussoliniâs fascist party, it had acquired another meaning. The fascists would send to the press, as guidelines through their ministry of popular culture. Initially, these veline were used as suggestions about what should or shouldnât be discussed, while also providing recommendations on stylistic elements, tone, choice of words, and occasionally grammar. Over time, these suggestions became directives on news to cover, the ways to cover them, words to use (no