Journalism and the Third Reich with Dr. Finn Ballard

In this Conversation, viewers will take deep dive into international reporting during the Third Reich, learning which journalists set themselves against Hitler and conversely, which facilitated his treacherous rise to power. Learn how the vast majority of Germany's nearly five-thousand newspapers (many of which Jewish-owned) were quashed in favor of anti-Semitic propaganda from the Franz Eher publishing house and later from the fanatical Julius Streicher, who would become one of the arch criminals eventually executed at Nuremberg.

Viewers will learn how a determined underground press persisted throughout occupied Europe, and how a small circle of American reporters including Dorothy Thompson (later expelled from Germany), H.R. Knickerbocker, John Gunther and Jimmy Sheean tried to warn the world of the danger of Hitler's ascension to power, and in so doing, had to battle the apathy of press associations. Finally viewers will be introduced to the relationship between the notorious British Daily Mail - then owned by Lord Rothermere, who both praised and funded Hitler - and the Third Reich. 

Led by an expert on Third Reich history, Dr. Finn Ballard, this Conversation will examine the theme of contemporary reportage in and on Nazi Germany. Designed to inform curiosity as well as future travels, participants will come away with an increased awareness of how the world understood the Third Reich as it took place.