148. Memorandum From the Director of the International Communication Agency (Reinhardt) to the Associate Director, Voice of America (Straus)1
SUBJECT
- VOA Commentaries
In the wake of our recent discussion, and after a careful review of the relevant memoranda on the subject, I have reached the following conclusions with regard to the broadcasting of VOA Commentaries:
1. In partial fulfillment of the VOA Charter mandate to “present the policies of the United States clearly and effectively,” VOA should begin broadcasting policy Commentaries as soon as this is operationally feasible.
2. Commentaries are to be concise presentations of USG policies on issues of major concern and importance to the United States and to VOA listeners, the purpose of which is to give listeners as clear and accurate an understanding of USG policies as is possible through international radio broadcasting.
3. The production and airing of Commentaries will be handled in the following manner:
a. Though written by various persons in the VOA Current Affairs Division, Commentaries will be introduced on the air by a phrase such as “Here is a VOA Commentary read by (name of reader),” or “The following is a VOA Commentary,” with no mention of the author.
b. The individual reading a VOA Commentary on the air in English and on most of the other major language services will not be heard in any other broadcast capacity; in those few broadcast services where limited staff size will not permit such an absolute separation of functions, Commentary readers will not be heard at any other point in the [Page 420] same broadcast (e.g., as a newscaster, a master of ceremonies, a feature narrator, etc.).
c. VOA’s Current Affairs Division will issue a minimum of three Commentaries weekly to be broadcast by the various language services, more if required and if relevant materials are available.
d. The present relationship between PGM/G and the VOA Policy Application Staff (as outlined in my memorandum of May 4, 1977) remains unchanged for the production of VOA Commentaries; VOA will continue to look to PGM/G (and, through that office, to the Department of State and other policy-making elements of the USG) for advice and guidance on subject matter for VOA Commentaries and on special aspects of a particular policy which should be emphasized and/or caveats which should be observed; there should be regular post-broadcast critiques of Commentaries, and, while prior script clearance is not required, it should be sought when thought advisable by VOA.
4. The broadcasting of VOA Commentaries in no way affects VOA’s Charter obligations to present the news in an “accurate, objective and comprehensive” manner, to “present a balanced and comprehensive projection of significant American thought and institutions,” and to “present responsible discussion and opinion” on U.S. policies. VOA Commentaries should complement, not supplant, these other Charter responsibilities. At the same time, the advent of VOA Commentaries should not lead to a decline in appropriate news reporting and analysis of USG policies. I assume that official USG policy statements and actions will continue to be reflected appropriately in the full range of VOA news broadcasts, news analyses, features programs, etc.
5. Finally, I assume that you will want to develop a suitable method for evaluating the nature and effectiveness of VOA Commentaries over a specified period of time.
I shall be delighted to discuss any questions you may have about these conclusions.
- Source: National Archives, RG 306, Associate Directorate for Programs, Subject Files of Basic Operating Documents, 1969–1982, Entry P–100, Basic Documents—1978 [A]. No classification marking.↩