FOLLOW-UP TO DISINFORMATION CONFERENCE

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP89G01126R000100100009-9
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 4
• Document Creation Date: December 22, 2016
• Document Release Date: August 19, 2011
• Sequence Number: 9
• Publication Date: July 24, 1985
• Content Type: MEMO

Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/08/19: CIA-RDP89GO1126R000100100009-9
MEMORANDUM FOR: Director of Central Intelligence
THROUGH: Deputy Director for Intelligence
Director of Soviet Analysis
Senior Analyst for National Issues
Office of Soviet Analysis
SUBJECT: Follow-up to Disinformation Conference
1. Action required: None. This memorandum, which reports on the
outcome of the 25-27 June Conference on Contemporary Soviet Propaganda and
Disinformation (CSPD), is for information only.
Conference Results
2. In practical terms, the conference produced much new evidence on the
problem of disinformation, although not as much as hoped for, perhaps, on the
semantic dimension per se. Thirteen formal papers were prepared, and
approximately 21 hours of discussion exist on tape. Overall, the quality of
the papers, oral presentations, and general discussions is quite high--
probably the result of the participants' having been informed that some sort
of conference proceedings would be published. (How this will be accomplished
is discussed below.)
3. As you know, one of the primary purposes of the conference was to
highlight the problem that we face in recognizing disinformation's various
guises. In this regard, the conference was very successful. The academic
papers, especially the case studies, focused attention on specific
manifestations of the problem. This forced the audience, as well as the
authors, to identify and recognize various forms of disinformation. Perhaps
even more useful, however, was the testimony--sometimes written, but more
often off-the-cuff--of participating Soviet and East European defectors and
emigres, whose accounts of their "hands-on" experience helped considerably to
bring home the reality of disinformation's forms and techniques. In fact, the
conference was unique in bringing together such a large number of these ex-
Soviets with academics and government specialists. This compositional mix
produced a good exchange of views and experiences.
STAT
ADMINISTRATIVE INTERNAL USE ONLY
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 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/08/19: CIA-RDP89GO1126R000100100009-9
SUBJECT: Follow-up to Disinformation Conference
4. At the same time, the conference produced no consensus on the need
for Western scholars to deal directly with the issue of disinformation in
their work. Indeed, the conference's final session reflected some marked
differences of view among academics on this score. Some argued the need not
only to examine closely the "ambiguity and contradictoriness" of Soviet
policy, but to take a "moral" position in doing so. Others, while recognizing
that disinformation is a significant factor in creating this "ambiguity and
contradictoriness," were clearly resistant to this notion, appearing to equate
a "moral" position with a "political" one.
5. These differences apparently reflected differing philosophical views
as outlined by Norman Podhoretz in his keynote address. on the causes of
Western vulnerability to semantic manipulation. Despite this, the
participants appeared to agree fully on the need for the government to
neutralize and counter Soviet disinformation--primarily through greater
efforts at consciousness-raising among the media and the public.
Follow-up Steps
6. In organizing the conference, we made clear that some sort of
publication would result, and without exception all the conference
participants strongly supported this intention. We have considered publishing
a simple compilation of the formal papers but decided that too much valuable
information and analysis--especially that provided by the defectors--would be
lost. We therefore are having the taped proceedings transcribed as quickly as
possible in order to prepare a conference report that includes synopses of the
numerous oral presentations and discussions. The report will be given broad
dissemination by the State Department.
7. A number of the conferees suggested that a list of participants would
be useful to keep each other informed and to involve each other in related
work as time passes. Some saw this as a first step in helping to create a
network of specialists interested in disinformation issues. Accordingly, we
have sent such a list (excluding the names of CIA staffers except me) to the
conference participants.
8. Another suggestion that many conferees made at the conference and in
subsequent correspondence was to have a follow-up conference examine possible
countermeasures. A small sample of this correspondence is attached (including
an earlier letter from Aaron Levenstein proposing the creation of a privately
funded Center for Propaganda Research).
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 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/08/19: CIA-RDP89GO1126R000100100009-9
SUBJECT: Follow-up to Disinformation Conference
9. We have discussed the idea of a follow-on conference with the
NIO~FDIA
If an academic conference were
to be held, however, SOVA believes that it should be conducted under the
auspices of the State Department, as it would be likely to deal explicitly
with issues touching on domestic sensitivities.
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STAT
STAT
STAT
STAT
 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/08/19: CIA-RDP89GO1126R000100100009-9
SUBJECT: Follow-up to Disinformation Conference
DDI/SOVA/NIG.
(24 July 85)
STAT
Distribution:
Orig - Addressee
1 - ER
1 - DDI Registry
1 - D/SOVA
1 - NIG Chrono
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Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/08/19: CIA-RDP89GO1126R000100100009-9