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Censorship of the Post
During World War II
Maria HarrisLIS 60001:001Fall 2009
What is Postal Censorship?
The opening and reading of letters and packages
Usually done by the government Reasons:
War or Unrest Military Censorship Moral Censorship Hazardous Materials
Why Censor Mail in Wartime?
Ensure secrecy Prevent rumors Collect information Prevent espionage and subversion
Improve - or decrease - morale
Civilian Communications
1942 Annual Report to the Postmaster General: Frequent and rapid communication Enlivens patriotism Improves morale
Stay in touch with friends and family
Health and safety
Victory Mail
“Brief, bright, day-by-day details of life at home”
Standardized stationary Microfilm 4” x 5” 41 months - 1.25 billion V-Mails
Normal communication impossible
Whereabouts and welfare 25-word personal messages 300 inquiries; 2700 messages per day
Free
Red Cross Inquiry Service
Message Delivery and Espionage
Patriotism Dangerous Methods:
Through the mail Invisible Ink
Networking The French Resistance
In person The Legendary Courier of Warsaw
So What?
Universal Declaration of Human Rights
“No one shall be subjected to arbitrary interference with his… correspondence.”
Learn from the past New ways to censor
Cost Technology