Totalitarian Theory in Media

Definition

Totalitarianism (or totalitarian rule) is a political system that strives to regulate nearly every aspect of public and private life. Totalitarian regimes or movements maintain themselves in political power by means of an official all-embracing ideology and propaganda disseminated through the state-controlled mass media,a single party that controls the state, personality cults, control over the economy, regulation and restriction of free discussion and criticism, the use of mass surveillance, and widespread use of state terrorism.

Origin

Italian Dictator Benito Mussolini coined the term totalitario in the early 1920’s.“All within the state, none outside the state, none against the state.” The notion of Totalitarianism was given by Giovanni Amendola who described Italian Fascism as a system fundamentally different from conventional dictatorships.

Relation to Media

Media is controlled by the central authority.No one other than the central authority has any stake in media.The State was the master and the individual was the servant.Whatever the media said was in praise of the authority and opposition of the rivals.

Total Control Diagram

Working of Totalitarian Regime

Totalitarian regimes, establish complete political, social, and cultural control over their subjects, and are usually headed by a charismatic leader.Totalitarian regimes seek to destroy civil society i.e. communities that operate independently of the State.It was neither reform of Communism nor establishment of democracy, but a breakdown of organized life

Rise of Totalitarian Regime

Mussolini - FACIST ITALY

Through press and books, school children were indoctrinated with Fascist ideas. They were told that "Mussolini is always right.The mass media. — the cinema, the radio, the press, the books and the magazines—were all strictly censored by the government.

Hitler - NAZI GERMANY

All the means of communication were monopolized by the government to glorify Hitler.The press and the cinema displayed pictures glorifying the Nazi movements.The Jews were dismissed from the public service, the universities and other professions and mainly media.

Stalin - SOVIET RUSSIA

Stalin used press to campaign against political rivalries.The citizens were not guaranteed the freedom of speech, of the press, of assembly until 1936.Stalin through media proved that the socialist system was better than capitalist.

2009 AND TOTALITARIANISM !

Castro - CUBA

In the absence of any freedoms of speech and press, domestic media must operate under party guidelines and reflect CUBAN government views.The Cuban Government continues to refuse to allow the church to have independent printing press capabilities; access to mediaMedia that disseminates antigovernment propaganda, graffiti, and disrespect of officials carry prison penalties.

Kim Jong-II - NORTH KOREA

The constitution provides for freedom of speech; however, the government prohibits the exercise of these rights in practice.The media upholds the personality cult of Kim Jong-Il, the media refers to Kim Jong-Il as the "Dear Leader“.The press is tightly controlled by the state, one of the most highly controlled in the world

Totalitarian Media Zealots

It is basically an umbrella term.Totalitarian media zealots are commonly known to amass large standing armies of paparazziTotalitarian media zealots are faux journalists employed to "find the scoop" or "spread rumors“Personal privacy is habitually disregarded by a totalitarian media zealot paparazzo for the sake of achieving an impromptu photo or video of the celebrity.

“Under the totalitarian regime, it was as if you were forced to live in the same room with an insanely violent man.” – Fazil Iskander

By-Mohit Ravi – 07-VC-107Nambiar Karthik – 07-VC-133