One hundred years ago this week the editor of Queanbeyan's Age complained that war reports his paper was receiving were heavily∂ censored, rose-tinted accounts.
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"THE CENSORSHIP. Now that 'Our Boys' have got into the fighting line at the Dardanelles, complaints about the rigor of the censorship are becoming more painful, frequent and free. It is only too clear that in the meagre accounts of operations at the front that are allowed to appear, prominence is given to every incident that seems favourable to the Allies. It is equally clear ... that a good deal of information respecting successes claimed by the enemy has been rigorously suppressed. The result is that when heavy fighting is proceeding strong suspicion is aroused that things are not going as well as they might, but that the news is not allowed to appear. The censors are in great danger of destroying the public faith in their capacity and impartiality."
And, illustrating what he was complaining of, in the same edition the editor ran this improbably optimistic account of "THE DARDANELLES ACTION."
"It is officially announced that the disembarkation began before sunrise on the 25th April ... Steady progress continued till the 28th. All [enemy] attacks were repulsed ...
"The Australians and New Zealand soldiers after landing pushed on with the utmost boldness, being constantly engaged with the enemy ... The colonials fought with fine spirit, and determination. On the 27th a Turkish division attacked, and a hot engagement followed. The enemy charged repeatedly, but the colonials defeated every attempt, and resumed the offensive."
