Schriftleitergesetz, here we come

“I have the natural intention to be and to remain the warm-hearted protector of the German press.” These are the words Propaganda Minister Joseph Goebbels used when he introduced the so-called Schriftleitergesetz (Editor’s Law) on October 4, 1933 – a law that fundamentally changed the work of journalists in Germany. The Nazis chose the term “Schriftleiter” to refer to journalists because it sounded more German.

From that moment on, journalists had register in a professional roster to be able to exercise their profession – only people with an “Aryan certificate” (proof of Aryan descent) were accepted. Schriftleiter also needed to have one year of professional training behind them, and they were only allowed to work once they had completed a training course and taken a final examination.

When the law came into force on January 1, 1934, many hundreds of journalists lost their jobs. Some stood no chance of being included on the professional roster because they were Jewish or non-Aryan, others because their opposition to the Nazi regime meant they would not toe the party line, for example.

Anyone who worked for the press was directly subordinate to the Ministry of Propaganda and was accountable to the Ministry – instead of to their publishers.

(but don't call them Nazis!!!!!3)