Advertising Quote by G. Edward Griffin
“In 1938, I. G. Farben sent a letter to (a major drug firm), one of its American subsidiaries, (that)..all advertising contracts must contain '...a legal clause whereby the contract is immediately cancelled if overnight the attitude of the paper toward Germany should be changed.”
About This Quote
Source Letter: Internal corporate correspondence, 1938, I. G. Farben to American subsidiary
The quote highlights a corporate demand for a legal clause to cancel advertising if the paper’s stance toward Germany changes, reflecting control over media narratives.
In simple terms: A company demanded a clause to cancel ads if the paper’s view on Germany shifted.
Key Takeaway
Beware of hidden clauses that can suppress dissent.
Themes
media control
corporate influence
propaganda
ethics
Mood
cautious
critical
historical
Type
political
ethical
historical
When to use this quote
- advertising contracts
- news media
- corporate communications
- historical research
Key Concepts
censorship
legal leverage
political pressure
Questions to Reflect On
- How do such clauses affect journalistic independence?
- What are modern equivalents of media control?
A Different Perspective
The clause may have been a pretext for broader censorship, not just about Germany.
