LISTENER VIEWS ON WESTERN BROADCASTS TO BULGARIA

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• 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
• Publication Date: December 6, 1955
• Content Type: REPORT

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