Modelli comunicativi e uso di false notizie tra i patrioti italiani: il caso dei giornali di Brescia (1797-1799)

The revolutionary era is characterized by a new and different use of gazettes, which took on a political role that they never had. Brescian journalistic experience (1797– 1799) bears witness to a varied communication strategy aimed at spreading democratic and republican knowledge. The primary objective was to catechize the reader to revolu- tionary ideals, educating them and creating consensus on the new republican regimes. But the case of the Frusta democratica brings out communication methods that were also based on the use of fake news. The gazette now served as an instrument of denunciation and accusation of those citizens who were acting against democracy and the State. The accusations were often unjustified and without any proof, because the aim was no lon- ger to inform or educate, but to condemn and feed political hatred. The Frusta is based on the falsification of reality and the use of virulent language, favouring the culture of suspicion over that of information.