Russian military censorship during the First World War

This article looks at the changes made in the censorship regime in operation in Russia during the First World War, and compares this regime with the effective models in existence in other belligerent nations. It analyses the weaknesses of the Tsarist system, showing the comparative freedom of the press to criticise government measures, and the exasperation expressed by ministers. It attributes the Russian inefficiency to the censorship personnel and the reluctance of the military to become embroiled in political censorship. After the institution of more rigid preliminary censorship in 1916, criticism of the government is shown to have gone underground with a plethora of illegal hectographs and hand produced news.