WORKING GROUP - COMMITTEE ON BROADCASTING AND TELEVISION (COBAT) 29TH MEETING HELD 2:30 P.M. JUNE 14, 1957 CONFERENCE ROOM #148 E.O. B.
Document Type:
Collection:
Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST):
CIA-RDP78-01634R000300030053-8
Release Decision:
RIPPUB
Original Classification:
C
Document Page Count:
2
Document Creation Date:
November 17, 2016
Document Release Date:
April 14, 2000
Sequence Number:
53
Case Number:
Publication Date:
June 18, 1957
Content Type:
MIN
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CIA-RDP78-01634R000300030053-8.pdf | 112.55 KB |
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Approved For Ruse 2000R/ CIA-RDP78-01000300030053-8
CONFIDENTIAL
OPERATIONS COORDINATING BOARD
Washington 25, D.C.
June 18, 1957
MEMORANDUM OF MEETING: Working Group - Committee on Broadcasting and
Television (COBAT)
29th meeting held 2:30 P.M. June 14, 1957
Conference Room #148 E.O.B.
Working Group Members Present: 5f,((
USIA - Mr. Robert E. Button, Chairman
State - Mr. William A. McFadden
ICA - Mr. Gerald Winfield
CIA - Representative present
Defense - absent
0CB Staff - Mr. Leslie S. Brady
Mrs. Marjorie Denny
1. COBAT met to analyze the Soviet challenge to the U.S. on a TV
exchange. While this matter is already under consideration by the Special
Committee on Soviet and Related Problems, COBATts terms of reference state
it will
"Develop proposals for inter-governmental and private
cooperation in the development and exchange of program
materials and other information in this general field."
The Chairman therefore requested COBAT to endeavor to develop specific
proposals which might be added to a future offer for TV exchange with the
Russians.
The State Department representative explained that the Special
Committee on Soviet and Related Problems was now engaged in going over
the seventeen point program put forward by the Western Foreign Ministers
J at Geneva in October 1955. This committee will then follow-up for a
joint US-UK-French approach to the Soviets.
Meanwhile, among the suggestions which COBAT might develop
for later consideration were the following:
a. The Ted Granik program "Youth Wants to Know" might be
produced with young Americans asking questions of some
prominent Russian. It is understood that Mr. Granik has
already approached the Russians with this proposal, which
might be a good one in view of the fact that the youth
of Russia are now asking some questions themselves.
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b. The Vice President might do an interview with Russian
I correspondents here in Washington.
I c. Amerika Illustrated might be turned into a fifteen-minute
TV program, put on in advance of its release each month.
d. The U.S. Government might invite the Russians to inter-
view a VOA official.
e. A interview might be set up with a defector and a redefe
f. The program "Face the Nation`s might be done with a half-dozen
prominent business men answering questions put by the Russians.
ctor.
These and other suggestions will be written up by Mr. Buttons staff
and circulated before the next meeting.
The CIA representative suggested that these programming ideas might
more properly be submitted by the chief of VOA rather than by COBAT.
The CIA representative also emphasized the view that action on the TV
exchange proposal belonged in the Special Committee on Soviet and Related
Problems, and added that in view of the fact that the proposal was related
to international broadcasting, it might also be of interest to the
Committee on Radio Broadcasting Policyo
2, The ICA representative reported on the status of the communications
projects for Libya, Vietnam, and Ethiopia.
4. The next meeting will be at the call of the Chairman. The agenda
will include a report by Mr. Frederick Long on the recent meeting of the
European Broadcasting Union held at Vienna
25X1C10b
Leslie S. Brady
Alternate Staff Representative
25X1C1Ob
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