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