CBS - 'WHO'S WHO'
Document Type:
Collection:
Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST):
CIA-RDP80M00165A002400110006-1
Release Decision:
RIPPUB
Original Classification:
K
Document Page Count:
14
Document Creation Date:
December 15, 2016
Document Release Date:
February 23, 2004
Sequence Number:
6
Case Number:
Publication Date:
April 18, 1977
Content Type:
MF
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Body:
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April 18, 1977
MEMORANDUM FOR: Director of Central Intelligence
THROUGH : Deputy Director of Central Intelligence
FROM : Herbert E. Hetu
Assistant to the Director (Public Affairs)
SUBJECT : CBS - "Who's Who"
~^ cxec'Jt! e necc try
1. Action Requested: To permit CBS - television to
film the DCI and other select members of his staffs for production
of a 15-20 minute segment of the network program "Who's Who."
2. Background: Attachments A through F are attached for
information and reference.
3. Staff Position: With respect to protection of classified
materials and physical security the staff concensus appears to be
generally favorable with agreement that satisfactory arrangements
can be made to accommodate security restrictions and requirements.
However, there are also some universal concerns. Specifically:
a. Setting a Precedent. That once CBS is permitted to
produce the show it will open the doors to other media who could
demand equal access to the building. The decision, therefore,
becomes a milestone decision and is not only concerned with CBS.,
b. No Control of Content. That since we have no control
of the content, specifically Mr. Rathers comments, we take a risk
of being misrepresented or criticized, i.e., the show would do
more harm than good.
4. Recommendations:
a. Setting a Precedent. Since the current administration,
and indeed the entire American philosophy is moving rapidly in the
direction of more openness in government I feel the precedent setting
concern cannot sustain itself very long. If we don't open our doors
under our-own terms, we could be forced to do so by external pressures
(Congress, White House, media, public opinion, etc.). I think it
better to move in the direction of openness voluntarily and in an
orderly fashion. We may as well get credit for opening our own doors
and enjoy the credibility that goes with such a decision.
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b. No Control of Content. There is no fullproof answer to
this problem. We would factually brief Mr. Rather and provide as
much access to people and materials as possible. It then becomes
a function of the principals involved,.including myself, to convince
the narrator that we are telling the truth. I believe it is possible
to positively impress Rather and realize an overall good show. However,
in any interaction with a free press, the possibility of being mis-
interpreted or disbelieved always exists. You takes your chances.
c. In weighing all factors it is my recommendation that
you approve the CBS request and permit us to proceed with arrangements
for filming.
Attachments: A - HH memo for record 11 April
B HH memo 11 April
C - Clarke comments 13 April
D Gambino comments 13 April
E - DDA comments 14 April
F - ADDI comments 14 April
cc: DDA
DDI
DDS&T
DDO
ST
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11 April 1977
SUBJECT: CBS Meeting on Possibility.of Doing "Who's
Who" Show on DCI
1. The meeting took place in A(PA)/DCI office at
3:30 p.m., Thursday, April 7, 1977. Present were:
Mr. Paul Walsh, ADDI
SA/DDS ;T
114r. Bob Gambino, D/OS
Mr. Herbert e .u
Mr. David Buksbaum, CBS
2. Most of -the talking was done by Mr; Buksbaum
interspersed with a number of questions from others present.
Major points made were:
a. "Who's Who" is not a "This is your life" type
show, nor is it like "60 Minutes", i . e. , no one else would
be obtained in another locale to comment on CIA and put in
the show later. The segment on DCI would run 15--20 minutes,
b. CBS will abide by any physical restrictions
imposed by CIA. This would include sites on the compound
and in the building. They will permit us to view the film
as it is processed to take out any scenes objectionable
from a security point of view. Buksbaum said we could even
process the film in our lab if we have the capability and
quality control to do so.,
c. CBS would take several days to do the filming
but would never have more than seven people (Buksbaum,
correspondent Rather, cameraman, soundman, lightman, grip
and researcher) in the building at one time -- usually fewer
than-seven.
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I the meeting, Buksbaum, Hetu, Gambino,
AT took a tour of the building to look;
e sights to obtain photography. Some which
seemed available to all concerned:
a. Library
b. DCI's office
c. DCI's conference room
d. A typical hallway
e. Lobby in front of 33 stars
*f. Map office in basement
*g.. Analyst office showing computer terminal
in operation
*h. Operations Center showing wire machines
i. DCI portrait gallery corridor
4. The meeting/tour ended about 5:30 p.m. It was
agreed that Buksbaum would report to his superiors at CBS
on feasibility of producing segment on DCI/CIA, CIA
attendees would make recommendations through their respective
superiors to the DCI on feasibility of permitting CBS to do
the shop;,.
5. Hetu promised Buksbaum an answer at an early
date -- hopefully early in the week of April 11,
Herbert E, Hetu
Assistant to the Director
(Public Affairs)
*These spaces were not actually visited but were discussed as
possibilities.
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NE'ORANDU~i FOR: Deputy Director for Administration
Deputy Director for Intelligence
Deputy Director for Science and
Technology
SUBJECT : CBS - "Who's Who"
1. Attached is my Memorandum for the Record
briefly and broadly discussing the meeting/tour with CBS
and your representative on April 7, 1977..
2. I am now preparing a recommendation for the DCI.
We would appreciate your input as soon as possible. I will
coordinate the proposed recommendation with each of you
before it is sent forward.
Herbert e u
Assistant to the Director
(Public Affairs)
cc: DDCI
DDO
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11 April 1977
:'JAC:ASSI ICD I~iT AL COHFI IAL
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ROUTING AND RECORD SHEET
CBS - "Who's Who"
TO: (OFcer des:;nation, room number, and
build r'
ea.=_:~s~cN rho. --------------
DDS&T-1824-77
13 April 1977
SECRET
OFFICERS COMMENTS (Number each comment to show from whom
INITIALS to whom. Drove o I ne across column after each comment.)
Asst. to the Director!,(Publi Affai s)
1F04 Hq ~.,
ST
FORM 610 L, PRevt EDIitONS ous SECRET ^ CONFIDENT? A1. USE ONLY UNCLASSIFIED
$-62
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DDS&T-1824-77
a. Although the scenario outlined for the show was quite
sketchy, I believe a meaningful presentation can be made.
b. The security restrictions must be carefully weighed;
we defer to the Office of Security for specific comments.
c. Careful scheduling must be made to avoid inadvertent
exposure of personnel under cover and avoid interruption of
normal activities.
d. Critical editing of all processed film is a must.
and interview.
e. It would be desirable for Mr. Rather to submit ahead of
time typical questions so that the DCI would be knowledgeable of
the areas for discussion. An alternate to this arrangement would
be to have Mr. Rather spend some time with the DCI in an informal,
off-the-record, "get acquainted" session before the actual filming
Special Assistant
Directorate of
Science and-Technology
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MEMORANDUM FOR: Assistant to the Director (Public Affairs)
SUBJECT : CBS - "Who's Who"
REFERENCE : Your memorandum, Same Subject dated 11 April 1977
The following comments are submitted on the proposed CBS production
"Who's Who" as a result of a meeting between Mr. Buksbaum and representatives
of various Agency offices and directorates on 7 April 1977:
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MEMORANDUM FOR: Deputy Director for Administration
FROM: Robert W. Gambino
Director of Security
SUBJECT: CBS - "Who's Who"
REFERENCES: (a) Memo dtd 11 Apr 77 from A/DCI/Public
Affairs, subject as above
(b) Memo for Record from D/Sec dtd 11 Apr 77,
subject: CBS Program "Who's Who" - "A Day
in the Life of the DCI"
1. Action Requested: It is requested that you approve
the recommendation in paragraph 4 which suggests that if this
program is approved, CBS be required to comply with certain
security restrictions.
2. Background: General background data is found in
attached erences. It is noted that Mr. David Buksbaum of
CBS states that the program would provide the American public
with many unclassified and interesting things about the
Agency. However, Mr. Buksbaum made it quite clear that he had
no control nor responsibility for the comments made by the
narrator, Mr. Dan Rather. It is believed that with careful secu-
rity guidance such a program could be filmed without disclosing
classified information. Approval for CBS to film this program
would be setting a precedent which has unknown future compli-
cations.
3. Staff Position: Without further comment on whether
or not permission to film this program would establish an
unfavorable precedent, it is believed that if CBS were properly
escorted and if CIA could review the film as it is processed
to take out. any section undesirable from a security point of
.view, there would be no security objection.
OS 7 1831/A
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4. Recommendation: It is recommended that aside
from the precedent setting feature which this office cannot
properly address, CBS be permitted to film "Soho's Who" under
the security safeguards mentioned above.
ST
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? 1 t :l! R js7%
AT
TAT
MEMORANDUM FOR THE RECORD
FROM: Robert W. Gawibino
Director of Security
SUBJECT: CBS Program "M'ho's Who" -
"A Day in the Life of the DCI"
1. On 7 April 1977 1 participated in a discussion in
Mr. Hetu's office concerning CBS's request to make a se rtent
of their program '."A, o's Who" featuring "A Day in the Life of
the DCI,." which would be narrated by Dan Rather. -It was
noted that through "A Day in the Life of the DCI" a number of
unclassified and interesting things about the Agency could be
provided the American public. Attending the Meeting in addi-
Yaui. riaisn, ADD/1; and David Bukshsa;,Im, repres tinting
2. I advised Mr. Buksbaum and those assembled at this
meeting that the Headquarters Building is considered to be a
secure area and that the locations of specific offices and the
identity of things that are done where in the building are
considered sensitive and not release-able outside the Agency.
The reason for this restriction is to deny a nostile intelli-
gence service information which they can use to penetrate the
Agency with human or technical assets. I noted that while
there are areas within the building which in themselves are
not classified, I did not like the precedent which is involved
concerning this request.
4. At the conclusion of the tour Mr. Hetu advised that
he would prepare a background note for the DCI concerning the
CBS request and that appropriate elements within the Agency
would have an opportunity to Hake recommendations to the DCI
in the CBS request.
3. Mr was taken on a tour of the building
by Mr. Hetu, and myself. "Unclassified" areas of
the building were sown, including the library, the portrait
corridor, the cafeterias, and the DCI office space.
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14 April 1977
MEMORANDUM FOR: Assistant to the Director
(Public Affairs)
CBS - "Who's Who"
1. My reactions to the meeting with Dave Buksbaum and our
discussions regarding Agency participation with CBS for a "Who's
1ti'ho" show are as follows:
-- As far as I can determine, Buksbaum was willing
to accept all of the restraints discussed which
pertain to access to the building, security
considerations, and other restraints to prevent
the production of the show from interfering
unduly with the Agency's normal operations;
-- I gather that we could expect reasonably com-
plete cooperation from the CBS crew so that the
production of the show would not present unusual
obligations on the part of Agency personnel;
-- I also gathered that the willingness to accept
restrictions and other conditions applied only
to the technical aspects of the show and would
not apply to whatever role Mr. Rather would play.
2. On the basis of the above, I believe that if a decision is
made to cooperate with CBS, that perfectly tolerable arrangements
could be worked out. My main concern is Mr. Rather. I have no
confidence that he would not use the show to air his own personal
views about CIA and the Intelligence Community, regardless of what
we saw on tape. Unfortunately, I do not know what do do about
this and simply point it out so that those involved in making a
decision do so fully aware that they are running a "risk."
should also_be prepared to extend the same arrangements with at
3. If a decision is male to cooperate with CBS, then the Agency
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least the other major TV networks. If we felt sure that we
could close the doors after having satisfied NBC and ABC, then
this might not be too much of a problem. But if it means we have
to treat all elements of the media in the same way, then I think
we should think long and hard before we say yes.
ST
PAUL V.
Associate Deputy Director
for Intelligence
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