PROPOSAL FOR A CIA NEWSPAPER

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP88B00443R001604200018-3
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: C
• Document Page Count: 7
• Document Creation Date: December 22, 2016
• Document Release Date: January 11, 2010
• Sequence Number: 18
• Publication Date: July 30, 1984
• Content Type: MEMO

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30 July 1984
htEh10RANDUM FOR: Deputy Director of Central Intelligence
Executive Director
Director, Office of Personnel
FROM: Director of Central Intelligence
SUBJECT: Proposal for a "CIA Newspaper"
The way to answer this question is to have a dummy issue
prepared and maEce a judgment as to 'how useful it appears to be
against what kind of security, perception and other problems its
preparation and evaluation would suggest.
William J. Casey
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' DIRECTOR OF CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE
Executive
y,t _ v_G
20 July 1984
h;EMORANDUP~I FOR: Director,Office of Personnel
FROM: DCI
25X1 ~~.;BJECT: Proposal
Is this a good idea?
William J. Casey
Attachment:
Memo dated 13 .lul v
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18 July 1984
MEMORANDUM FOR: Director of Central Intelligence
VIA Deputy Director of Central Intelligence
Executive Director
Deputy Director for Intelligence
Director of Global Issues
STAT Fey
Chief , Comatr~dity Markets Branch
Economics Division
STAT
STAT
SUBJECT Proposal for a "CIA Newspaper"
1. Action Requested: The attached proposal for a CIA Newspaper is
submitted for your consideration.
2. Background: As a CIA employee of sane 15 years, I have seen many
Directors come and go. While all have left their mark in some important way,
none have shown the personal interest in CIA employees and their opinions that
you have. While I was at first skeptical, the "credo exercise" and the follow
through on employee ideas and suggestions arising from the "pursuit of
excellence" initiative have made me a believer. It is in this spirit that I
submit the idea for a CIA Newspaper (see attached).
3. The germ of the idea came fran one of the DI's new
analysts - - and was developed by both of us jointly. We
feel that a ewspaper would stimulate greater productivity and provide
additional momentum to the recent increase in employee morale. Finally it
would foster an esprit de corps not seen at the Agency since the early days of
its founding.
4. While the Office of Security can be expected to voice same concern
about this idea, we foresee no security considerations that could not be
overcome. Indeed, we envision an unclassified newspaper that would not
jeopardize our high security standards. Nbreover, each issue could include a
message on the need for good security practices similar to those which are
posted on bulletin boards around the building.
5. For your information, this idea is also being submitted to the
Suggestion Awards Committee.
Attachment:
As stated
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Proposal: CIA Newspaper
NAME: Tb be determined through an employee contest; possible
names might be "The Mouthpeace" or "The Reliable Source".
STYLE: Similar to a university campus newspaper.
LENGTH: As necessary.
FREQUENCY: Weekly, Biweekly, or Nbnthly.
PUBLISHER: CPAS
STAFF: Agency volunteers
CONTRIBUTORS: DI, DO, DS&T, DA
CONTENT: Newsworthy stories on topics such as:
-- New building construction progress
-- Changes in employee benefits
-- Parking situation
-- Caranunity relations
-- Awards, kudos
-- Highlights of coming Agency events
Other regular features:
-- Employee profiles (four each issue -- one from
each Directorate)
-- Sports Talk (including EAA team standings)
-- Guest editorial (on any CIA-related topic)
-- EAA activities and meeting schedules
-- Q&A column similar to "The Ear" to handle rumors,
employee questions, etc.
-- A nature column on campus wildlife
-- A cartoon strip -- Spy vs. Spy (?)
-- Physical fitness articles
-- A message from Security
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CONFIDENTIAL
13 July 1984
MEMORANDUM FOR: William J. Casey
Director of Central Intelligence
FROM .
Executive R::gistry
84 - oZ ! ~-~
Support Staff
SUBJECT Search for Excellence
1. Your request for ideas and comments concerning what
our Organization can do to improve its quality of life and its
overall effectiveness has brought forth numerous suggestions
that you have already implemented. These actions, we all
agree, cannot help but make our work place, our environment and
our overall end-product even better than it has been.
2. One additional axea of concern that_I have noticed has
to do with communications. As you are probably aware,
virtually every company, firm and organization always has
trouble with communicating with its employees and getting the
word to them. More personnel problems, confrontations and
frictions are the result of a lack of - or in many cases a
misunderstanding of - communications between offices,. sections
? and personnel. A number of approaches to the problem are
taken. One of the most effective, in my estimation, is that
implemented at large manufacturers - the publication of a
company newspaper on a regular basis.
3. The company paper, provides a wide myriad of
information - some of it educational, some of it...advisory and
some of it just plain chatty. I think a CIA weekly or
bi-weekly paper (possibly appropriately titled "The
;Intelligencer"!) could be of invaluable service to the
Organization. Current Employee Bulletin information could be
placed in the weekly paper. (I hear over and over the lament
that an employee did not see this or that bulletin and wasn't
aware of some program, policy, shuttle bus schedule or other
routine activity that had been implemented or changed). In
addition, notes that various offices now send to their
All portions of this
document are CONFIDENTIAL
CONFIDENTIAL
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CONFIDENTIAL
careerists (OL Newsletter, OP Newsletter, etc.) and
explanations on items as diverse as insurance open-season
activity, Warner-Wolf legislation and its implications, new
training initiatives and courses could be included.
4. The potential for a CIA newspaper is unlimited. A
regular column from your office, from the offices of the Deputy
Directors and others could be incorporated. News on Agency
athletic programs, results, and schedules could be listed. Ads
that now appear on the bulletin boards could be part of a
classified section. .The possibilities go on and on.
5. The talent to put together such an endeavor is here.
We have 'the printing plant, an abundance of editors and writers
and the ability to get it done.
6. I am aware that a security consideration may initially
bring about a negative reaction to the plan. However, if the
paper was given an "Administrative - Internal Use Only"
designation as is now done with most Employee Bulletins and if
the Agency staff was instructed to handle the paper as if it
were classified, the idea would work. Naturally, names (a
promotion list, a senior assignment announcement, etc.) would
have to be protected in some instances. However, I believe
that the idea of an Agency newspaper is one that might work. I
further am convinced that in a very short time, its weekly or
bi-weekly arrival would be anxiously anticipated. ( I'base
this conviction on the current newsletter I write to field
stations in my division and the feedback received.)
7. Whether this proposal is ever adopted or not, I do
feel that attention should be placed on how we "pass the word"
to our people. Maybe, after review, a determination will be
made that our present system is the best available. However, I
think there is room for improvement and any step taken to do
so, would be appreciated by all.
8. I thank you for the opportunity to pass along my idea.
.2
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