The inaugural issue of the Manzanar Free Press was published on April 11, 1942. Produced by a Japanese American staff, it was the first newspaper of its kind in an assembly or relocation center. From its start as a simple means to disseminate information, the Manzanar Free Press grew into an independent journal with international, national and camp news, sports, editorials and gossip. Originally published exclusively in English, a need was identified for a Japanese section of the newspaper. Many Issei (first generation immigrants) could not read English, while many Nisei (second generation Japanese Americans) could not read Japanese. When Japanese sections were first included, Washington ordered the practice stopped. Eventually, a compromise was agreed upon and the Manzanar Free Press published a Japanese language supplement with both original and translated material that was reviewed by a three person board. At its peak, Manzanar Free Press' circulation reached 3,700 copies with subscribers throughout the United States. While local and national advertisers bought space in the newspaper, the Manzanar Cooperative Enterprises covered most of the costs. The paper was free to all Manzanar internees. Additional copies sold for five cents each. Manzanar's Caucasian staff could subscribe for fifty cents per month or six dollars a year. In addition to the regular issues, the Manzanar Free Press staff produced several special editions. A "Special Anniversary Edition" retrospective of the first year of life in camp was published on March 20, 1943. The "Pictorial Edition" (priced at ten cents per copy) came out on September 10, 1943. The last issue of the Manzanar Free Press appeared on September 28, 1945, two months before the camp closed. | |||||||||||||
