FBIS-BBC STANDARDIZATION (SOURCELINES)

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP92-00053R000300430050-0
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 10
• Document Creation Date: December 22, 2016
• Document Release Date: August 14, 2012
• Sequence Number: 50
• Publication Date: July 7, 1975
• Content Type: LETTER

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-s
0
London Bureau, FBIS
Dear Art:
7 July 1975
Deputy Chief
Subject: FBIS-BBC Standardization (Sourcelines)
Your letter of 4 June 1975 provided for our consideration a
list of nine recommendations for the standardization of source-
lines prepared jointly by the FAIS-BBC Standardization Working
Group. All Headquarters' components with an interest in this sub-
ject have now carefully reviewed these recommendations. This letter
may therefore be considered a coordinated response to your
recommendations.
We approve without change or reservations your recommendations
for items 1, 2, and 6.
We cannot accept item 3 for this reason: In Europe where
television is virtually a state monopoly, the recommendation would
work well. But this unfortunately is not the ease in many other
parts of the world we cover. For example, we have to use 'Tokyo
Domestic Television" to distinguish between official and private
telecasts. Also, we use "Lima Television" (in subslugs for relays
via Panama City) to indicate that we do not know whether the origi-
nating station is official or private. Therefore we submit that
the word "domestic" is essential in TV sourcelines.
We suggest that the recommendation of item 4 be amended to
read: The word "domestic" and/or "external will be included
only in sourcelines of official radios and press agencies.
We agree to item 5, but with some reluctance. This refine-
ment does not touch on the sticky question of when the generalized
indication "external" would be applied and when the definite target
would be used instead.
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We recognize item 7 as a BBC concession to standard PSIS
practice, but we must point out that as phrased it misstates the
case. FBIS does not specify the target in all cases where it is
specifically indicated. FBIS does specify the target onlr, when
it serves a purpose to do so. We therefore submit that this
recommendation should be recast as follows: When a sourceline
is to include a specific target, the destination will be shown
and the word "to" and not "for" shall be used in the description
of the destination.
While we have no basic disagreement with item 8, we wonder
who (BBC or FBIS) will determine when countries should be added
to sourcelines for clarity. Perhaps we should reserve judgment on
this recommendation until we have seen the proposed BBC list.
Item 9, we are not in favor of this. To include the destina-
tion in sourcelines for outbound presscasts would unnecessarily
complicate the identification of copy at field bureaus. Moreover,
multitargeted transmissions would require excessively long and
involved sourcelines, which would be perplexing to consumers
and handlers alike and result in no tangible benefits to either.
If this recommendation were implemented, sourcelines such as the
following would result:
- Kinshasa AZAP in French to AZAP Kisangani AZAP Mbandaka
AZAP Budavu and Africa.
- Paris AFP in French to Europe the Near rast the Antilles
and Somalia.
Buenos Aires IPS in Spanish to Bogota Caracas Quito
Mexico La Paz Santiago Chile and Europe.
Please press ahead in ironing out the remaining areas of
consideration on sourcelines and keep us posted on your progress.
Sincerely,
niet, Operations Croup
Distribution:
Orig. & 1 - Addressee
2 - Ops
1 - FCS
- Exec. Reg.
db
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Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/08/14 : CIA-RDP92-00053R000300430050-0
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745 WA 433
REF LD870, WE WILL HAVE A COORDINATED RESPONSE ON YOUR
JOINT RECOMMENDATIONS RE SOURCELINES BY NEXT WEEK. 27/2012Z JUN
BT
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OFFICIAL ROUTING SLIP
TO
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DATE
INITIALS
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SIGNATURE
Remarks:
John:
Here is my draft reply
letter recommending sourceline
draft is basically a paraphrase
setting forth FCS position on
Working Group proposals on sourcelines,
was coordinated with DRD and
ments). Make whatever ell style
wish, but let's hold firmly
I am not sure how the Working
Does this reply go back to them
reconsideration and possible
Or does this end the discussion
I hope the latter or else we
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-
Remarks:
PCS comments on FBIS/BBC sourceline
proposals. PCS position looks basically sensible.
But does anyone see any malor bugs in this?
FOLD HERE TO RETURN TO SENDER
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DATE
27 Jun
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COMMENT
FILE
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xx
CONCURRENCE
INFORMATION
SIGNATURE
Remarks:
Per C/OPS' instruction, FCS has reviewed
the FBIS?BBC Working Group's recommendations
on sourcelines. For the most part FCS can
agree with recommendations, albeit some with
minor revisions. On 03 and 9, however, we
reject emphatically for reasons stated.
In the interests of moving this along,
I seek your concurrence with FCS position.
If not, we will have to thrash it out.
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TRANSMITTAL SLIP
DA2T6E jun 2975
TO:
Chief, Daily Reporting Division
ROOM NO.
I BUILDING
REMARKS:
Copies for your retention.
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1FEB 55 L I' REPLACES FORM 36-8
WHICH MAY BE USED. (47)
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26 June 1975
MEMORANDUM FOR: Chief, Daily Reporting Division
Chief, Analysis Group
SUBJECT : FBIS-BBC Standardization: Sourcelines
REFERENCE :
4 June 1975 Letter
1. FCS believes the FBIS-BBC Working Group has done a remarkable
job in reaching a consensus on the sourcelines. FCS agrees without
reservations to joint recommendations No. 1, 2 and 6 as stated.
2. On No. 4, FCS feels it should be amended to read: The word
"domestic" and "external" will be included only in sourcelines of
official radios and press agencies.
3. On No. 5, FCS agrees with some reluctance, but notes that
this refinement does not touch on the sticky question of when the
generalized indication "external" would be applied and when the
definite target would be used instead.
4. On No. 7, this is a BBC concession to standard FBIS practice
but as phrased it misstates the case. We do not specify the target
in all cases where it is specifically indicated. We do specify it
only when it serves a purpose to do so. Hence, the recommendation
should be recast: When a sourceline is to include a specific target,
the destination will be shown and the word "to" and not "for" shall
be used in the description of destination.
5. On No. 8, FCS has no basic problem with this, but wonders
who (BBC or FBIS) will determine when countries will be added to
sourcelines for clarity. Suggest we reserve judgment on this
recommendation until we have seen the BBC list.
6. On No. 3, FCS cannot agree. In the European area, where
television is virtually a state monopoly, the recommendation would
work well. But this is not necessarily the case in other parts of
the world. For example, we have to use "Tokyo Domestic Television"
to distinguish official telecasts from private telecasts. Also, we
use "Lima Television" (in subslugs for relays via Panama City) to
indicate that we do not know whether the originating station is
official or private.
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/08/14: CIA-RDP92-00053R000300430050-0
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/08/14: CIA-RDP92-00053R000300430050-0
7. On No. 9, FCS cannot agree. What purpose would it serve
to distinguish among the targets of a press agency? FCS contends
that to include the destination in sourcelines for outbound press-
casts would unnecessarily complicate the identification of copy at
field bureaus and multi-targeted transmissions would require
excessively long sourcelines, which would be perplexing to consumers
and handlers alike and result in no tangible benefits for either.
If this recommendation were implemented, the following sourcelines
would result:
- Kinshasa AZAP in French to AZAP Kisangani AZAP Mbandaka
AZAP Bukavu and Africa
- Paris AFP in French to Europe the Near East the Antilles
and Somalia
- Buenos Aires IPS in Spanish to Bogota Caracas Quito
Mexico La Paz Santiago Chile and Europe
Chief, Field Coverage Staff
-2--
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