206. Memorandum From the Secretary of State to the President1
SUBJECT
- Voice of America Broadcasting Policy
In a letter dated June 3, 19572 you outlined your views on the role of the Voice of America in support of United States aims and policies. After considering them carefully and concurring fully, I communicated with Mr. Larson who, in turn, issued operational instructions designed to meet your views.
Mr. Larson has provided for more emphasis on objective news broadcasts with particular attention to believability. He has also stressed that VOA must present news and policies largely from the official American point of view. Features and music are dealt with as a means of retaining audiences so that our objectives can be achieved, not as ends in themselves. Mr. Larson’s action is an important further step toward achievement of credible broadcasting. You may care to read the details of his directive,3 a copy of which is enclosed.
The Department of State will continue to work closely with Mr. Larson to assure the maximum effectiveness of his excellent directive.
- Source: Eisenhower Library, Whitman File, Dulles–Herter Series.↩
- See footnote 2, Document 204.↩
- Not found in Eisenhower Library or USIA Files.↩