Session 10 - Prof. Ewa Hauser – American Public Diplomacy and Communist Propaganda During the 1960
Student Presentation by Kathrine Simonsen
American Public Diplomacy: From Propaganda to Facebook
1953: President Dwight D. Eisenhower establishes the United States Information Agency (USIA).
Overseas, USIA is known as USIS, the United States Information Service
1999: USIA is integrated into the Department of State, and is now known as the U.S. Department of
State’s Bureau of International Information Programs (IIP)
What is Public Diplomacy?
In international relations, public diplomacy is the communication with foreign publics to establish a
dialogue designed to inform and influence. There is no one definition of Public Diplomacy, and it may
be easier described than easily defined as definitions have changed and continue to change over time. It
is practiced through a variety of instruments and methods ranging from personal contact and media
interviews to the internet and educational exchanges. There is still debate on whether Public Diplomacy
is propaganda or not.
The United States Information Agency (USIA) was established to streamline the U.S. government's
overseas information programs, and make them more effective. The United States Information Agency
was the largest full-service public relations organization in the world, spending over $2 billion per year
to highlight America’s view, while diminishing the Soviet’s side through about 150 different countries.
In 1948, the Smith-Mundt Act banned domestic distribution of propaganda intended for foreign
audiences, but before 1972, the US government was allowed to distribute expressly domestic
propaganda through Congress, independent media (such as Radio Free Europe (in Eastern Europe) and
Radio Liberty (in the former Soviet Union)) and schools.
The USIA's mission was "to understand, inform and influence foreign publics in promotion of the
national interest, and to broaden the dialogue between Americans and U.S. institutions, and their
counterparts abroad.” (http://dosfan.lib.uic.edu/usia/usiahome/oldoview.htm#overview)
Today, it is the Department of State that gives "information about current U.S. foreign policy and about
American life and culture” (www.america.gov (does not exist anymore)) through Bureau of
International Information Programs (IIP). IIP still uses some of USIA's methods, but is also widely
using social media to convey “the American way” to the rest of the world.
Examples of Public Diplomacy:
– The Fulbright Program (educational exchanges)
– English Language Programs
– International Visitors Program (inviting both established and promising figures to the U.S.)
– Speakers Program (bringing American speakers and specialists to explain the United States, its
policies, and its culture to overseas audiences)
Web sites:
USIA: http://dosfan.lib.uic.edu/usia/usiahome/oldoview.htm#overview
IIP: http://iipdigital.usembassy.gov/iipdigital-en/index.html#axzz1YUZea2L4
White House Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/WhiteHouse
EMU: http://emu.dk.usvpp.gov/index.html (in Danish - a Virtual Presence Post made for school kids)
Session 10
Lecturer: Prof. Dr. Ewa Hauser
American ‘Public Diplomacy’ and Communist Propaganda in Poland during the 1960s
Student: Franziska König-Paratore
VOA (Voice of America) presentation of American freedoms
VOA – 1941-1963:
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1941 - 1946: In response to the events in Europe in 1940, the Office of the Coordinator of
Inter-American Affairs (CIAA) was established to promote solidarity between “the nations of
the Western Hemisphere” – the first scheduled international broadcasting activities of the
United States
Mid-1941: Establishment of the Foreign Language Service (FIS) – John Houseman as Chief of
the FIS Radio Production Division
1942: VOA under the Office of War Information – John Houseman as Chief of the Radio
Program Bureau
1945: Termination of the OWI – redefinition of the purpose of the VOA
1948: Smith-Mundt Act (US Information and Educational Exchange Act) – directives for how
to communicate with other countriesand “to increase mutual understanding” (‘public
diplomacy’)
1950: President Truman starts “Campaign of Truth” – calling for “psychological warfare”
1953: establishment of the United States Information Agency (USIA) –centralization of
overseas information activities
1958: Henry Loomis (Voice director from 1958 until 1965) initiates the VOA Charter, which
is finalized in 1960 and later approved as a directive by President Eisenhower
The VOA Charter:
The long-range interests of the United States are served by communicating directly with the peoples
of the world by radio. To be effective, the Voice of America must win the attention and respect of
listeners. These principles will therefore govern Voice of America (VOA) broadcasts:
1.
VOA will serve as a consistently reliable and authoritative source of news. VOA news will be
accurate, objective, and comprehensive.
VOA will represent America, not any single segment of American society, and will therefore
present a balanced and comprehensive projection of significant American thought and institutions.
VOA will present the policies of the United States clearly and effectively, and will also present
responsible discussions and opinion on these policies.1
2.
3.
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1
1961: Edward R. Murrow as USIA Director – emphasizing truth as the “best weapon”
1963: President Kennedy’s memorandum to Director Murrow – commenting on the mission of
the USIA: “influencing attitudes in other nations”
Voice of America at the Crossroads. Panel Discussion Proceedings.June 24, 1982. Washington, D.C.: The Media
Institute.
Quote:
Willis Conover (1920-1996) in an interview with his
friend Jack Towers, 1989:
I’m an independent contractor. I’ve been in some 50
countries to jazz festivals and such. On my visa
application, it says employee. I’m not a VOA employee.
I work for Music International Limited. The checks go
there. Thus, in many ways, I’m exempt from changes
that might result from different presidential
administrations.
Suggested reading:
Glade, William.“Issues in the Genesis and Organization of Cultural Diplomacy: A Brief Critical
History.” The Journal of Arts Management, Law, and Society 39, 4 (2009): 240-259.
Heil, Alan J. Voice of America. A History. New York: Columbia University Press, 2003.
Hixson, Walter L. Parting the Curtain.Propaganda, Culture, and the Cold War, 1945-1961.
Houndmills and London: Macmillan, 1998.
Pirsein, Robert William. The Voice of America. A History of the International Broadcasting Activities
of the United States Government 1940-1962. New York: Arno Press, 1979.
Ripmaster, Terence M. Willis Conover. Broadcasting Jazz to the World. New York: iUniverse Inc.,
2007.
Uttaro Ralph A. “The Voices of America in International Radio Propaganda.” Law and Contemporary
Problems 45,1(1982): 103-122.
Session 10
Lecturer: prof. Ewa Hauser (University of Warsaw)
Student:
Jan Chmielowski (University of Warsaw)
STUDENT PROTESTS IN POLAND IN 1968
I.BACKGROUND:
International politics:
Tensions between USA and Soviet Union: Six Days War of 1967 and its reception in Polish society,
Polish policy towards Israel
Domestic policy:
Disappointment of Gomulka in Polish society, sharpening of Polish communist party's attitude
towards intellectuals and freedom of speech, the Letter of 34, Gomulka's speech about the war in
Near East, anti-Semitic campaign.
II. DEJMEK'S STAGING OF “DZIADY” ( “FOR-FATHERS EVE”) AND IT'S AFTERMARTH
Anti-Soviet interpretation and ban on performance and first student protest in Warsaw, resolution of
Polish writers
III. PROTESTS
Removal of A. Michnik and H. Szlajfer from Warsaw University, student relay, response of
authorities and further actions, anti-Semitic propaganda
IV. REPRESSIONS
Imprisonment, service in army, relegation from universities
V. MEDIA
Reaction of Polish mass-media and publications available for authorities
Bibliography:
Eisler, Jerzy . Marzec '68. (March '68). Warszawa: Wydawnictwa Szkolne i Pedagogiczne, 1995.
Print.
"Historia." Marzec1968.pl. IPN, n.d. Web. 25 Aug. 2011. <www.marzec1968.pl>.
Karpinski, Jakub. Krotkie spiecie: marzec 1968. ( Short Circuit: March '68).Paris: Instytut
Literacki, 1977. Print.
Oseska, Piotr. Marzec '68. (March '68). Krakow: Wydawn. Znak :, 2008. Print.
"Polska." Rewolucje 1968. “Poland.” Revolutions. Warsaw: Zacheta Narodowa Galeria Sztuki :,
2008. 135-165. Print.