Propaganda and Persuasion

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Propaganda and Persuasion

Davison pointed out that most were concerned with tourism, investment, or trade. This did not include activities by embassies or consulates, nor did it include mail and shortwave radio from abroad. Bogart (1995) said that within the USIA, both in 1953 and today, It is widely believed that a sense of affinity is developed by showing the people of other nations American documentary films and giving them free access to Amer ican books and publications. Such exposure fosters friendship that has great, intangible value, quite apart from any immediate political benefits. An even more powerful impression is made by bringing foreign nationals to the United States, where they can meet Americans and get a first-hand look at the society. (p. xxxiii) In 1998, the USIA maintained more than 200 posts in 143 countries with the purpose to clarify and support American foreign policy while supporting U.S. national interests. This agency alone published magazines and commer cial bulletins in 20 languages, had a wireless file information service in 5 languages, produced films, operated a radio-teletype network, maintained a World Wide Web site, supported a speaker program abroad, supported public-access libraries, sponsored exchange and visitor programs, and broadcasts more than 900 hours a week through VOA in 47 languages, including English. Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty broadcasts more than 500 hours a week in 23 languages. VOA "WORLD-NET" is a satellite tele vision network established in 1983. News, educational, and cultural pro grams are broadcast 24 hours a day to millions of viewers through American embassies, U.S. Information Services (USIS) posts, and foreign television and cable networks. The USIA was moved back into the State Department during the Clinton administration and became known as the Bureau of International Information Programs (IIP). President Clinton called the propaganda from the bureau one of "the most effective foreign policy tools we have" (Parry-Giles, 2002, p. 191). Under the George W. Bush administration, the IIP was "the principal international strategic communi cations entity for the foreign affairs community" (U.S. Department of State, n.d.). Its mission statement was to "inform, engage, and influence interna tional audiences about U.S. policy and society to advance America's interests." The Foreign Affairs and Restructuring Act abolished the U.S. Information Agency effective October 1, 1999, when its information and exchange functions were folded in the Department of State under the newly created Under Secretary for Public Affairs and Public Diplomacy. Broadcasting functions, including the Voice of America, Radio and TV Marti, Radio Free Europe, and Radio Liberty, were consolidated as an independent entity under the Broadcasting Board of Governors, which continues independently as a separate entity from the State Department.