'planted' explosive device appeared on Christmas Eve;
a major demonstration of the influence of the communist
press over communist supporters. Indeed, a number of
arrested 'bombers' have claimed that they were under no
central direction but merely took their lead on whether
to intensify or moderate their activities from the
communist newspapers.
17.
With the introduction of the 'smile' campaign
in January this year the communist newspapers had to
vary their tactics. Once again, in an effort to build
up their circulation, the less doctrinaire newspapers
began to devote more space to non-political local news;
sports items and 'spicy' stories started to reappear.
With the re-publication of the three suppressed
newspapers, upon the expiry of their court-orders, they
became almost obscene in some of the material published
in their attempts to win readers. The major communist
newspapers varied their attacks on Government once
violence on the ground died away, and commenced criticism
at every opportunity on such issues as squatter clearance
programmes, hawker policies, resettlement, transport
etc., and any act by Government or its officers which
could, in the broadest sense, be interpreted as
suppression of an individual or a group. This policy has
continued throughout the year; any issue which the press
feels can be exploited to stir up feeling against
Government or to obtain support for the communists is
given widespread publicity. Vitriolic attacks are
launched on Government at every conceivable opportunity;
facts being twisted out of all recognition in an effort
to discredit Government. Some examples of recent
propaganda items are included at Appendix 'C'.
CONFIDENTIAL
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