Political Socialization through Newsreels on Education during the Francoist Dictatorship: A Diachronic Study on the NO-DO (1943-1975)

Abstract

Educational historiography has not deeply examined newsreels on education as sources of information or research objects. However, more and more historians defend their analysis for the study of education since the 20th century (Collelldemont y Padròs, 2020; Warmington et al., 2011). This research aims to show the propaganda use of the audiovisual documents on formal education of the Noticiario Cinematográfico Español (NO-DO). NO-DO newsreels were used during the Francoist dictatorship to legitimize this regime politically. The research methodology combines critical analysis of verbal discourse (Atienza y Van Dijk, 2010; Milito Barone, 2021) with audiovisual analysis techniques (Aguilar, 2004), focusing on different issues (concepts of education and school, prioritized moral values, role of the authorities, international openness). The study identified an evolution in Franco’s regime foundations to obtain constant support from citizens. In addition to these changes in political legitimization, this research discovered significant educational transformations from the postwar period to the last period of Francoist Dictatorship.