Censorship

• The Menzies government introduced censorship at the start of WWII and established the Department of Information, initially headed by Keith Murdoch, to manage it.
• Censors controlled radio broadcasts, newspapers, telegraphs, telephones, and postal communications to ensure information was safe for public knowledge and to support the war effort.
• Censors:

  • Banned servicemen and servicewomen from discussing the war or keeping diaries about it.
  • Checked and redacted letters to prevent sensitive information from reaching the enemy.
  • Ensured newspapers and radios provided positive war reports, emphasizing victories and downplaying losses. 
• Censor example: 

  • After the Darwin air raids in 1941, newspapers reported 17 dead and 24 wounded, while the actual casualties were at least 243 dead and up to 400 wounded.