Evening star., 1953-04-20
U. 5. Newspapermen
Overseas Say Voice
Needs Improvement
Rv ]. A. OleoN

Oy }. ~. ~ 6SOIy
Voice of America broadcasts
to most parts of the world out
side of the Iron Curtain need
improvement. a report issued by
Senator Hickenlooper, Republi-
can, of Iowa said today.
Senator Hickenlooper. who
heads a Senate Foreign Rela-
tions subcommittee studying the
overseas information program,
made public a report summarize
ing the opinions of SIS American
newspapermen stationed in the
free world overseas. They made
numerous suggestions for i'm
proving American propaganda.
Senator Hickenlooper said
there was almost unanimous
agreement that "Voice of Amer
lea short-wave broadcasts to
most parts of the world, except
Iron Curtain countries from
which we have no adequate re-
ports, leave much to be desired.
Similarly" he added, there
is much agreement in the re-
ports indicating dissatisfaction
with Government press services.
Libraries and book programs. on
the other hand, as well as ex-
change of persons programs, have
received much favorable COM
ment."
Not Passing on Views.
The subcommittee emphasized
that it is neither agreeing nor
disagreeing with the views ex-
pressed by its informants, but
is gathering these comments
from private citizens abroad so
that it will not have to depend
on Government testimony when
it determines the future scope Of
the overseas information pro-
grams. Senator Hickenlooper
pointed out that the United
States is now spending about
$100 million a year on these
programs.
In a few days the subcommit-
tee will make public another re-
port on the observations Of
American business and religious
groups overseas.
C4~nl,,.sn--
The subcommittee reported
that some opinions were shared
by so many of the foreign CORE
spondents reporting that the fol-
lowing general conclusions could
be drawn from their communi-
cations:
/. United States foreign policy
and action are more important
in determining attitudes toward
the United States than informa-
ton activities as such. and
should, therefore, be closely CO.
ordinated with the information
program.
2. Greater emphasis should be
placed on pro-Democratic infor-
nation and less on anti-Com-
munist material.
3. The United States speaks
best when it speaks softly and
when it avoids high-powered
publicity methods.
4. The quality of personnel
could be improved and the guam
tity reduced.
5. Short-wave broadcasts are
generally ineffective in reports
from the free world. Reception
is, on the whole, bad. Radio pro-
grams produced locally overseas,
and transcriptions sent from
New York often have greater
audiences.
s. Films are very popular and
usually can find an audience.
Their effectiveness as informa-
ton media, however, depends on
content and the subtlety of their
propaganda.
z. Exchange Of persons has
been highly successful and
should be enlarged.
8. Pamphlets and magazines
produced in the field have gen.
orally greater appeal than those
produced in Washington. De-
spite the impressive volume OF
this material. the observers con-
slider it of little value.
9. Libraries and Institutes have
fine reputation among the elite
groups that use them, and these
facilities should be given more
support. They recommend partic-
ularly that the book-translation
program be expanded.
Closer Coordination Urged.
While there was no consensus
on whether information activi-
ties should be separated from the
State Department, there wa.
agreement that closer co-ordina-
tion between agencies carrying
on information programs over
seas and greater autonomy fol
field officers are necessary.
The subcommittee reported
that the survey answers indicate
overall effectiveness is difficult
to evaluate. It suggested, how.
ever. that the general feelins
could best be summed up in the
words of two commentators.