LISTENER VIEWS ON WESTERN BROADCASTS TO BULGARIA

Document Type: 
Collection: 
Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 
CIA-RDP80-00810A008500680003-4
Release Decision: 
RIPPUB
Original Classification: 
S
Document Page Count: 
2
Document Creation Date: 
December 22, 2016
Document Release Date: 
September 3, 2010
Sequence Number: 
3
Case Number: 
Publication Date: 
December 6, 1955
Content Type: 
REPORT
File: 
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PDF icon CIA-RDP80-00810A008500680003-4.pdf199.52 KB
Body: 
Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/09/03: CIA-RDP80-0081 OA008500680003-4 CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY This material contains infor mation affecting the National Defense of -the United States within the meaning of the Espionage Laws, Tltl 18, U.S.C. Secs. 793 and 794, the transmission or revelation of which in any manner to an unauthorized r person is prohibited by !aw25X1 S-B? COUNTRY Bulgaria SUBJECT Listener Views on Western Broadcasts to Bulgaria DATE OF INFO. PLACE ACQUIRE DATE ACQUIRED REPORT DATE DISTR. NO. OF PAGES REQUIREMENT NO. REFERENCES 6 December 1955 2 RD SOURCE EVALUATIONS ARE DEFINITIVE. APPRAISAL OF CONTENT iC TFAITA TI Voice America The "Voice of American broadcasts are widely listened to and appreciated in the rural areas of Bulgarria9 whereas t cated urban radio listeners in Sofia? more sophisophiet3- BBC services. a generally prefer the 'aveterann 20 Radio listeners receive the cast by VOA., that the Unitedr~i$otoso" off me of the programs broad- superiority (technical, scientific9 eta economic other standard ofhlivinga~a its t er nations of the rldo Row erg such an attitude of suaperiori any s .) otter t he does not win ympathy or respect for the United States; on ty '9 this type of broadcast merel an tha ccn? already y gOnisss those people who are y genuine friends of the 'west, 3. The Programs which are of the st feature, broadcasts in which Bulgarian interest the Public i.c are those in the Satellite countries with ndit ?es compare living Conditions grams are often discus sed for da ons in the free world. Such prop satirical programs, which for yso The same is true of the humorous or sman tow., are I particularly popular in the villages and The Bulgarian radio audience frowns VOA broadcasts and upon the use of "strong , although-the public knows that tors language" in are Bulgarian nationals, the language certain VOA tom tam broadcasts is nether gwhich they employ in their the listener receives good nor appropriate for their purpose. . the Propaganda ?ession that facts have bexa Frequently., purposes, and he must then sift en exaggerated facts to rexaggerated for truth, (Note: Washington distribution indicated by Field distribution LjF AEC Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/09/03: CIA-RDP80-0081 OA008500680003-4 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/09/03: CIA-RDP80-0081 OA008500680003-4 BBC Broadcasts 5. BBC broadcasts have earned a reputation of impartiality., and generally broadcasts by this-service are limited to a recitation of facts, As a result of this dispassionate approach., the BBC has won the confidence of the people to a munch greater degree than has V 0 BBC radio reviews on the international political situation are the most popular and fre- quently provoke discussions of the subject" For example., the BBC cum= mentary in late July 1955,9 concerning the reasons against Bulgaria0a admission into the United Nation., aroused widespread interest and was discussed throughout the following week by every politically conscious person in the area, On the other hand., the BBC does not have any programs similar to the aforementioned hums ^o aatiricjj sketches of daily life., broadcast by the Voice of America, Such programs are extremely popular and their content is always assured wide dissemination, General, Commentary on Western Broadcasts ?, The "jamuaing" of foreign broadcasts is very extensive., but in most cases it is not maintained with the some intensity throughout the entire pro. gram, As,a results the chances of successfully receiving the essential parts of the news would be increased considerably if the commentators would repeat the headlines in the middle and at the end of each broad. cast, 8. The mention of specific names,, places., and dates in connection with everyday events would be very effective in undermining the publi? a faith in the regime ands at the same times would serve to enhance. the prestige of the West, Neither BBC nor VOA has employed this technique to any great extents instead, both simply limit themselves to generali- ties, Another important factor is the lack of both VOL and BBC com- mentary on serious local problem, For examples as of September 19558 there had not been any mention by VGA, or BBC of the fact that there would be widespread dismissals effected throughout the Bulgarian economy as of 1 January 1956, This economy measure is expected to affect more than Pa0s000 workers ands at presents the matter is being disowned in every home throughout the country and is of serious concern to the entire working population, The foreign radio has also failed to mention the re- lease of certain political prisoners who were, until quite reoentlye con. sidered to be "public enemies", This official "about-face* could be used to put the regime in an extremely uncomfortable position. Another feature which could be used effectively by VOA or BBC would be the announcement of the real income of a selected local farmers, preferably a member of the Com- munist Party; in such a broadcasts particular care should be taken to men- tion the farmerOa name and village, 90 General information on We in the West is of no particular interest to the Bulgarian public and broadcasts of this sort should be curtailed, except when known Bulgarian emigres can make legitimate comparisons of living con- ditions, Radio listeners would prefer the opportunity to view Bulgarian conditions through Western eyes, and the people particularly appreciate those broadcasts which indicate that the truth about their country is known abroad, S-E-C-R-1-T Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/09/03: CIA-RDP80-0081 OA008500680003-4