Censoring a newspaper: Activity notes

OBJECTIVES

• To gain a small understanding of censorship and begin to think why this was happening during "The Great War"
  
  
• Think about the purpose of newspapers
  
  
• Censor a piece of writing using an agreed criteria
  
  
• Choose material to make a front page of a newspaper so that it can be used as a method of propaganda

INTRODUCTION

Arrange the class into groups of two. Ask them to use a coloured pen and brainstorm the purposes of newspapers.

For example;
To find out information from around the world
To read about sport
To learn about future events

Feedback

Now using a different coloured pen ask them to brainstorm the purposes of newspapers during wartime.

For example;
To find out about events,
Propaganda
To find out who has died

Feedback - Discuss whether the purpose for a newspaper during wartime is the same as the purposes when the country is not at war.

Background discussion to censorship

Discuss censorship. What is it? Why does it happen? What should and shouldn't be censored.

What do they think an editor during wartime, such as Lord Kitchener, would censor and why?

Discuss whether they think it is morally right to censor material before it is printed in newspapers. What should be told to the public during wartime and what should not? Should everyone know exactly what is happening in a battle at the time it is happening or should we omit the most gruesome things?

Make a list of the things they would censor during wartime. Write it on a board so that everyone can see it. This is now the criteria they will use to censor a newspaper article.

The following is an example of the things KS3 students (from Hampstead Secondary School) included in their criteria during a workshop at The British Library.

Criteria for censorship

• Victories - emphasise them
  
  
• Names of the people who have died. Emphasise their bravery, even if they weren't obviously brave
  
  
• Don't say where they are and who is charge just in case enemy spies find out
  
  
• Victory photos. All photos must show smiles, (well most of them)
  
  
• Don't mention mistakes. You can say little ones, but they have been sorted out. Don't say big ones
  
  
• Teamwork - stress that everyone helps each other

Plenary

The students discuss their views on censorship. Whether it is right or not.

Discuss some of the opinions that the British population had during 'The Great War'.

For example:
Fighting for their country
A woman's role during wartime
Enrolling and adverts that encourage this
The White Feather Brigade
Adverts that list absentees from the army

Look at the articles that they have been working with to help them gain an idea of some of the conflicting viewpoints.