The BBC Does Duranty

(Walter Duranty, The New York Times. 22 June 1931) 

PARIS. June 21—It may be said without fear of contradiction that the Stalinist machine is better organized for the formation and control of public opinion in a great country than anything history has hitherto known. Perhaps Mormonism during the flourishing period of Brigham Young might be offered as a rival, but that was on a relatively tiny scale and failed to endure.

Stalinism, on the other hand, has three tremendous instruments – first, the Communist party plus, the Communist Youth and the Young Pioneers to a total of fully 10,000,000 of the most energetic section of the population highly centralized, sternly disciplined and trained to fluent speech and the subtle art of propaganda.

Second, there is the press from the great central organs like Pravda and Izvestia with circulations of millions, to the village and factory newspapers, multigraphed or handwritten by the tens and twenties of thousands. All follow the same line, obey the same control and preach the same gospel.

(The British Broadcasting Company, 22 September, 2007 )

In the middle of this industrial plant, a temporary studio had been created.

Giant gazebos had been erected, seating arranged, and a few props strategically positioned. A desk in front of a suitable backdrop was surrounded by lights and cameras.

It is an impressive business. This TV roadshow is broadcast every Sunday live on state television.

With just a few days' notice of the location, the programme's producers rig up the outside broadcast, never quite sure what Mr Chavez will be planning.

In the audience today, there are mainly workers from the state energy company.

They are all dressed in red T-shirts, a few in red jumpsuits, all wearing red caps. It is the uniform of Mr Chavez's supporters.

"We're here to support the revolution and the president," one group of technicians said to me.

"We're all rojo, rojito (red, red)," said Ivones Martinez, referring to the name given to Chavistas.

It refers to the red of the revolution and their 100% commitment to their leader.

Oh, do read both fawning pieces. We simply report, you should be able to figure it out all by yourselves.

Oh, do read both fawning pieces. We simply report, you should be able to figure it out all by yourselves.

Other Links to this Post

1. Blue Crab Boulevard » Today The AP Does Duranty — Sunday, 23 September , 2007 @ 6:42 pm

2. Blue Crab Boulevard » Monster Makeover — Wednesday, 26 September , 2007 @ 3:02 pm