VOICE OF AMERICA BROADCASTS TO CZECHOSLOVAKIA

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP82-00047R000100410009-5
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 9
• Document Creation Date: December 27, 2016
• Document Release Date: April 25, 2013
• Sequence Number: 9
• Publication Date: May 20, 1952
• Content Type: REPORT

50X1
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UmooiriLMIIVIN bE 11/5 LUItIn 11VF
CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
INFORMATION REPORT
COUNTRY Czechoslovakia
SUBJECT Voice of America Broadcasts to
Czechoslovakia
PLACE
ACQUIRED
DATE
ACQUIRED
DATE OF INFORMATION
THIS DOCUMENT CONTAINS INFORMATION AFFECTING THE NATIONAL
F TIE UNITED STATES, WITHIN THE MEANING OF TITLE I9, CTIONS 193
E
D 74, OF TOE U.S. CODE S
, EN CEO. ITS TRANSMISSION OR REVS.
CATION OF ITS CONTENTS TO OR RECEIPT BY A U NAUTNORIEE D PERSON IS
PRONI BITE, BY LAW. THE REPRODUCTION CF THIS F.I. IS PRDHIEITED.
NO.-OF PAGES 'q
NO. OF ENCLS.
(LISTED BELOW)
SUPPLEMENT TO
REPORT NO.
THIS IS UNEVALUATED INFORMATI050X1
1. One of the most important aspects in the East-west struggle
is the right approach to the people behind the Iron Curtain.
Much more attention should be given to the most important means
of anti-Communist propaganda for such people, ie, radio broadcasts
beamed to those countries in the Soviet orbit. Listening to
Voice of America broadcasts in Czechoslovakia today is truly
nation-wide; about 70-80 per cent of the adult population
listens regularly to at least two programs a week. In the news
vacuum of the Soviet orbit, such broadcasts play a decisive
role, which, in my opinion, is still not fully realized by the
US. VOA's one competitor is Radio Free Europe, which is
regardedby the Czechs almost as their own station; RFE seems to
understand the difficult life in the CSR and the desperation and hopes
of the people. If RFE could overcome some technical difficulties,
lead VGA by a wide margin, but at present,
has a considerable edge over RFE. Generally, the great 50X1
majority of the Czech people like most of the VOA programs
quite well. They look eagerly to VOA as a source of information
on the fiRee world, a ready reporter of world news, defender 50X1
and promoter of American interests and the American way of
life, and the interpreter of American opinion on the activities
of the Communists in that part of the orld behind the Iron
Curtain. There are only two small groups in Czechoslovakia
that do not listen to foreign broadcasts; the "hard core"
Communist Party members, and the small group of over-intellect-
ualized individuals, who hate Communism but have no faith in
u'lestern democracy. The latter group is very dangerous; checking
its growth depends on the e:'fectiveness of VOA and other
foreign broadcasts.
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2. The number of radio sets in use today throughout Czechoslovakia in'
proportion to the population is one of the highest in the world.
During the parliamentary debate on the 1952 budget,(reported on
Radio Prague, 16 Mar 52), a member of parliament stated that dfuring,
1951 the number of radio owners who had registered their sets with
post office authorities showed a 5,3 per cent increase over the
previous year. This means that at the present time there are well
50X1 over two million radio receivers in operation, which adds up to
about one set per family, including those in Slovakia.,
50X1 the figure may well be as high as three million, since many
sets captured from the Germans are not registered, The regime seems
to encourage this wide-spread use Of radio sets, presumably in the
hope-that more people will listen to Radio Pragae and other Communist
50X1 broadcasts > Actually, the addition. al radios mean an
increase in the number of listeners to Czech l.,ar ;cage broadcasts
The quality of VOA reception on the whole can h;: d,escr'ib?:d as good.
Reception is worst during the tWo most important) a._id popular pro-
grams, "Report From America" at 2100 :",ours and "Amz-rica Calling
Czechoslovakia" at 1830 hours. Because most Czech radios are of
fairly high quality (even the lower-priced sets have short wave
bands), the people can usually find at least ojn band where the
broadcasts can be heard. Jamming seems to be increasing in strength
as well as in the number of wave bands jammed. D :r?i.ng recent months
50X1 interference with VOA broadcasts is in direct
proportion to the content of the progrars; ie, jamming was very
slight during the daily news but the moment ha.t 3. commentary on
purges in Czechoslovakia began, the jam ing bec,:a..; so strong that,
it-was not possible to hear. what was being said o As listening to
the .medium wave band is practically impossible -al,: k;o heavy and
50X1 cor}stant jamming, most. people on short wave.
The broadcasts of BBC and Radio P .ris to Cre:; 'osl.c ki are seldom
jammed because of their poor propaganda value; jamming is concen-
trated on the broadcasts considered most dax ge:cou a to the Communists -
those of VOA and RFE.
50X14. the timing of VOA broadcasts to Czechoslovakia is
50X1 satisfactory to the majority of the listeners.. although
some improvement could. be made. it, should be rr:mmembered that the
people in Czechoslovakia go to bead early (around. 2200 hours) from
sheer physical exhaustion; in the rural areas people retire even
earlier. The main shift in industry begins at 0600 hours. As most
workers do not live near the factories, they must get -up before
0500 hours. Further, Czech broadcasting, stations cease operations
at 22415 hours; the one exception is the new to g wave station, used
for disseminating propaganda abroad, which Mays on the air until
around midnight. This bar on late evening brodcast.ng, 'ordered in
January 1952, increases the danger of detection while li.gtening to
VOA since even the tuning-in of foreign stations. Is often' accompanied
by sharp sounds in the speaker.
The programs beamed to Czechoslovakia prove that VOA has. much good,
factual material about the CSR. But one gets the impression that VOA
does not have up-to-date information concerning the people, ie, their
state_ of mind after three years of Communist propaganda and mental
pressure. This lack of understanding seems to me to be the major
cause of difference in the reaction of listeners to RFE and VOA.
This lacy of ,understanding on the part of VOA might be caused by
isolation or by insufficient contact. In this respect, RFE.has a
tremendous advantage in having its headquarters close to the Czech
border; it is able to establish direct contact with refugees, and
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can "eavesdrop at the Iron Curtain". It appears to me that VOA, loc-
ated on a distant continent, either does not get enough.intelligence
reports about the people of Czechoslovakia, or such reports reach
VOA through?such'complicated channels that they arrive too late to
give an up-to-date picture.
A few years ago it would have been impossible to try to describe
the state of mind of the average Czech citizen. The years of oppres-
sions however, have united the country as never before. First of
all., the nation as a whole feels a certain amount of guilt for what
was.allowed to happen in February 1948. It is important that VOA
take this into account when dealing with exiled Czechs and Slovaks.
For those left in Czechoslovakia, there are no symbols of liberation
or resistance movements, either at home or abroad. Those movements
symbolized by Thomas Masaryk during World War I, apd by Dr. Beines
dulaing World War II were accepted with patriotic enthusi4asm as
symbols of liberation at the time. But now such moverqfents simply do
not exist in the hearts of the Czech people and any attempt to use
a group of exiled political leaders for such a psychological approach
would be met with cold distrust.
The Czechs see these exiled politicians as very lucky indivi ua s,
who somehow managed to get out of the country in time to go to
"paradise" as the Czechs call the free-world. These exiled poli-
?ticians are not directly blamed for the Communists' rise to power,
but there is a strong general belief that as leaders they did not
fulfill their obligations, that they did not do everything they
might have to prevent the tragedy. Above all stands the fact that
not a single shot was fired and that the Red coup was followed by
the chaotic desertion of many democratic leaders who had not attemp-
ted any organized or even unorganized, symbolic resistance. It is
easy to see that this moral defeat is in the minds of all the people.
Life under the Communist regime, with its slavery and terror, is
considered by many of the Czechs as a "cleansing bath". They feel
strongly that moral guidance must come from their own ranks and-not
.from.emigrants. ,This fact should always, be kept in mind by VOA
when preparing programs'with or about exiled political leaders. The
people of Czechoslovakia are looking in vain for new moral leader
ship'for the nation, in which they can put their faith. They dis-
trust big words 'and empty speeches about democracy. No longer are
they willing to listen to "old.fashioned" speeches containing empty
phrases which sound patriotic.' Naturally, speeches made by exiled
Czech politicians often fall in this category. Such broa?casts
have no good effect and often are damaging to the cause of the West.
The people in the CSR have. not forgotten Munich in 1938 or what
happened in Prague in February 19+8; both are considered by the
Czechs as complete failures on the part of the Western democracies.
This sho ld not be interpreted to mean that the Czechs no longer
believe in democratic ideals. Quite the opposite is true, but the
Czechs d'ferentiate between empty speeches about democracy and:,,
50X1 reall democracy,: the philosophy of free men.
the.Czechs have a high level of education; moreover,, the naaJority pos-
sesses the ability to think independently. There is no danger that
the poptlation would not understand or would not listen to-quota-
tions from',the Bible, Loncoln, Masaryk, or an exposc.made by
Dean Acheson before, a session of the UN. But they will not swallow
the preachings of ?a self-righteous US Senator, for example, even
lea's will they accept the words of exiled..Czech politicians. Most.
such politicians cooperated with the Communists and then left the
country without attempting any sort of defense for democratic ideals.
This is a bitter pill in our history, and it should be taken into
consideration, not only by VOA writers but also by the policy-
making body of VOA.
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SECRET/SECURITY I 'OPNATION
7. the people of Czechoslovakia would appreciate it if the
50X1 main theme of VOA broadcasts were not the ad.vert.i.sing of the American
way of life (which, by the way, the Czechs wholeheartedly admire, but
at this time consider an the "torture of Tantalus"), but rather the
theme should be moral help for survival. To a people under Soviet
d.omjnation such as the Czechs, the American way of life is not of
primary interests the most. important thing is their own survival and
liberation. They want to hear about the strength of the West and.
concrete comparisons between the Iron Curtain and free countries
The. Czechs must be approa :-recce, by VOA with absolute sincerity; any
"all-wise teaching or prea hinr should be eliminated from broad-
casts. The Czechs are fe 3 ', p K Y -? such advice. The persons pre-
paring VOA programs shc? u always try to put themselves in the frame
of Mind of the listener, Often tho f oc gr.?az: s sound too stiff, as if
they were being read from a in ! bulletins. Often the Programs
lack the Th-a:mari touch. In ge er I . al should be encouraging;.
offering, hope,,;. but carefully ; .ng anything that, would weaken
the spiritual unity of the people, Programs may Include Information`
on the political sac t :.p i t ti ~5 of zi od. Czeshz, but any attempt on
the part of these ex ,airy :.M a o!2 the p{=.'ople back home what
they should or should not doo nn be sunned at this stage.
Instead, much, much more should be done to assure the Czechs that
they have not been forge en the 1 -ve world. The main purpose.
of VOA broadcasts to should he to tell the Czechs how
to keep up their oannage for Le i.u T urn- , and to siren :then their
spiritual and physical resistance to he ,: uinns..:ai.st regime. Programs
based on such a poi ny sra most f'fentiv and most needed by people
behind the Iron Cu? , a is. o 7 or dins to my observations VOA broad-
casts, ax a general rule, Ao;,:1 b's .,,ia Ided into two groups and
prepared under two basically l , T ;.e ? pol .Fsiea ; one policy for
programs directed at perp.... f free world, and one for those
?.:;;.;.l.n.. +
behind the iron Cur
50X1 h great majority *ry
are strongly opposed
tion of convinced r z emb .:- .:
of the total members 1_ o: to,
that the figure is even am
consideration In the ?rq:,
attack the OP and =
has in the past, but
would bear out In saying that
mmuni Party In the CSR
in Czechoslovakia, the propor-
'a.::. ` tey not more than 20 per dent
Q it in my personal opinion
z o fact she uld. be taken into
z gz. ?.:rna for VOA. V DA should
1, oven r :ax ,=r and more often than it.
,harp ,:a _ f :ire t;J.ati.on should be made between
the rank and file ztrah-;.fc;:z y .hA , lE.adcrs of the CP. This is even
more important today when Y '' ng , , oP -.e Just out' of school are
coerced into joining he , . -rty . Wi h ut; any desire whatsoever to
such people to stick .;c, i !arty. The most Imports nt f ct is that
the people who do not belvnG t q t e Party are Flose?ly un; ted with the
majority of the rank an! fn la CP ,,.arTers In resistance against the
regime. Many s tasd ~ , *, ~s of ;.. z e x . ._ .. cry Klieie that not even during
the Nazi occupation was the n a. ic.... mQx . ununited in its hopes and
sorrows,
that VOA, or any similar organization, should attenip o e e ne
the guilt of the or din.ar'y Ca mom tor r: such a di &;ance. Any
threats qr insinuations f ,-: punishment simply serv to force
whitewash any former or pee e,nt- enher-e of the C"P,
VOA broadcasts should r er ::? ver :a n ay of the eventual liber-
ation of the CSR. There Is a general feeling in Czechoslovakia that
the US wants to preserv'e the " ot s quo". .As opposed to the people
of the free world, the p c p N i` the iron Curtain are not too
happy to listen to peace propa.gzr., _. ar? Is the only hope of the
S EC F E /SE?_ U..:._ Y F'OR,:tz: S..,s.t. N
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great majority of these oppressed peoples; they see no other chance
to regain. their freedom. During the past year the overall situation
inside Czechoslovakia has become so unbearable that the Czechs no
longer fear a war and the devastation that inevitably accompanies
It. They are willing to see their country a shambles in order to
regain their freedom. This feeling is strong in Czechoslovakia which
50X1
suffered relatively little in World, War II corared to Poland and
50X4 some other countries. If VOA must disseminate! peace: propaganda in
50X1
its '; rograuis, they should not be beamed to Czec daloye.,kia.
the above facts should be taken into consideration
in preparing programs.
10. VOA does not have the correct picture of the attitudes
50X1 of the Czechs toward religion and the churches. Even though Czech-
oslovakia is :statistically still a strong Catholic nation, the fig-
ures do not represent, by any means, the true picture. There is
still a feeling of coldness toward the Vatican., even a iaong the old,
devout Catholics. The Czechs believe that they were never too well
liked by the Vatican, therefore it does not do any good for VOA to
mention repeatedly the changed feelings of the Vatican -toward the
Czechs. It is true that the desperate life in Czechoslovakia brings
people closer to religion, but the VOA makes no distinction between
church and religion. The Czechs are leaning more on religion in
the general sense of the word rather than on a particular church,
50X1 denomination, or sect. If they attend church more frequently,
50X1 is to spend more time in meditation, for moral encourage-
Ater. , or even to protest against the regime. VOA o s religious pro-
50X1 graim should be limited to no -denominational broad-
casts utilizing passages from the Bible, or from the religious
50X1 _.._.a &-a____. _----1 --- ----- --- ----- ?------ , - _ ^ - _. __,-.-
the VOA should expect favorable results from too many
Slovak origin. Such persons undoubtedly love t hew.ir old country, but
they usually fill their speeches with heavy p :rasa whi6.h do nothing
but cause confusion in the minds of the Czechs as to the position of
the free world in respect to the CSR. These people again and again.
tell their listeners not to give up, and to believe liberation is
near because the good God will see'.to it. This'statement may be
appreciated by a rnnall ' nunnber of old Slovak pea 3ents, but most' of
the people begin to lose faith in their liberation .if such a senti-
ment is repeated over a long period of time. They are quick to point
out that they waited 300. years for liberation from the German Haps-
burg dynasty, and that God had been witnessing the maoaacres and
terror in the USSR for 30 years; they are therefore convinced that
speeches by exiled priests or American church leaders of Czech or
waiting for liberation from that source is hopelebs.
.11. The German question is of great interest to the Czech people. There
are perhaps no two nations which have been fighting so contira rously
through the centuries, arid. at the same time living so `lose, in the
political, economic and cultural fields. In ca.,ie of war, the Czechs
would welcome US forces with open arms, but they fear that the new,
forces of Germany would come in revenge. Now when the solution of
the German problem has become the cornerstone of, the future of Europe
and the world, VOA maintains almost complete .ilenoe on the matter.
At a time when the Communist presses are blasting the `Ww~at on the
German problem, the Czechs are getting very lirr itK ~ it:.forin,: tion frof:A
VOA on the subject, and no comments whatsoever regarding Czech
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interests. The people of the CSR are of the opinion that no answer
is an answer too, and that something is being done of which the US
and the West are ashamed. It is true that the German question is
not the cumber one problem facing the Czechs today (of first impor-
tance, of course, is how they can throw off the Communist yoke),
nevertheless, it still remains of fundamental interest to the people.
There is complete confusion in the minds of the Czechs as to the
position.. of the US regarding the German problem; one often hears
the remark that the US is willing to satisfy all German aspirations
without regard to the smaller nations, especially the Slavic. If
50X1 it were properly aired, the people of Czechoslovakia
would understand the role of Germany and her importance in the common
struggle against Cownunismz.
12. New, coverage by VOA is very good, particularly t.Pa.e coverage of world
events, which..finds no criticism among the listeners; it is this
coverage of world news which gives VOA such a large &?)dience . The
reporting Is current, cexact, and objective. It is no exaggeration
to say the -whole CSR depends on VOA for world chews. Not so good,
howevr?r, Is VOA's co vverage of Czech dommestir news. It must- be
remembered that the Czech press and radio do not keep *the people in-
formed abut either world happenings or domestic events. VOA should
not sacrifice its world coverage but should pay more attention to
Czech donies~tic news and problems,. It seems to me that if VOA could
utilize S Government reports on Czechoslovakia without breaching
security r they would, rave an excellent source of new and continent.
13. It is not uafficient for VOA to prepare news broadc,:%sts based on
50X1 f ac t,s 'r=ut what Is more important, great attention should be given
to the responsibility for the effects of the broadcasts.
50X1 two examples of VOA's reporting which
50X1 show a f'~ xrd m~nc,;~:t lack of 1uxowled.ge of the situation in Czechoslovakia .
as well s a complete lack of foresight, politically speaking, on
the part of the writers.
(a) On several occasic s in September 1951, VOA reported prepara-
tions for resetticmmmer).t of the. refugees from the famous
50X1 "Konvalinka Freedom Train". the VOA announcer
said something to this effect ...and eight passengers from
the Freedom Train were refused. immigration visas to Canada for
security reasons.. The group, led by Dr. Svec, has to remain
in Germany while the rest of the lucky, free people are on
their way to Canada, and the USA, etc... It From the comment that
followed this news, all listeners could. readily recognize that
the writer and even the announcer were pleased that former CP
members were rejected for security reasons and had to remain
in Germ.,any. - For most Czechs, having to stay in Germany is
like "Daniel in the lion's den" As a result of such reporting,
the majority of the members of the CP, although strongly
opposeed to the regime, feel that they are forced to stick it
out with the Party until the last moment since they see no
other way out; from the VOA they can discern r o trace of hope
or encouragement, and certainly no advantage in defecting to
the West. In effect, this broadcast undoubtEIdl' y. discouraged
50X1 defectors from the Soviet orbit. that VOA should
falsify the news, but in this case a politically acute writer
would simply have stated that some of the. people' were going to
Canada and the USI and that the other would be resettled in
other parts of the world.
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(b) Another example of harmful reporting: recently a Slovak arch-
itect c:ricaped pith his family' and a friend across the Morava
River into Auotr?ia in an old amphibious jeep. The refugee man-
aged to induce a Communist official, either through bribery
(probably with black market meat) or alcoholic means, to help
him get the Jeep into the restricted area at the Morava River
border; the full name of official was broadcast.over VOA; afid this
probably resulted in the death penalty. What sort of official
this man was is not important; what is important is the effect
of such a broadcast on other officials such peon?.e A.s border
guards, will-v) might have purposely missed when they fired at
fleein rF f gees . If threatened by public denunciation via
VOA (to. which the officials probably listen in secret), the
number of people being assisted or "allowed" to come across
the borders will decrease to nil. There are other Communist
50X1 officials who would consider helping people flee,
but if they will have to face such compromising revelations,
they will cot aa.inly abandon any sigch ideas, In such cases,
giving names can surely serve no useful purpose If such a
person is really a ",dyed--in-the--wool" Communist, his day of
reckoning vwelll eventually come anyhow. The chances are, however,
that he has taken his one opportunity of "kicking the Red Regime
in the seat of the pants". Such reporting only increases the
ruthlessness with which Communist orders are carried out because
there is no doubt that corrective measures will be taken to
insure that similar happenings do not occur in the future. The
fact that UP, AP, or INS made the original report is no excuse
for VOA. Border guards and Communist officials, with the ,
exception of those in the higher echelons, are never allowed
50X1 to read foreign newspapers, so that the only way they learn of
such denunciations is from foreign broadcasts.
50X1
can well
imagine the wave of resentment that swept the nation when they
heard the bx-,j.
1kk. the commentaries on VOA are not so good. The commen-
50X1 li y
stener, ; he ggive the impression that he is rspeaking from
a sense of d7AL,;, or ghat he is reading from a dry textbook. There
50X1 seems to be a cor 1.{e?te lack of optimism in the broadcasts*
mean that VOA eho~:.1...:z color its programs so as to establish- unfounded
hopes. The Coec'rh listener is eager to hear more comments on domestic
issues, such as speeches of Red leaders, meetings of parliament (as
well as other official meetings),, articles in Red newspapers, etc.
The programs of Radio Prague could serve as a rich sourep not only
for commentaries, but also for jokes, questions to Red leaders, etc,
continually surprised that VOA does not exploit the stupidity of
the Communists as exhibited by their lies. Some quite important
.events are left without comment by VOA. A striking example of this
was the reply by the US Department of State to official Czech pro-
tests regarding the rearming of West Germany and encour ing Nazis
elements a rmong German expellees from Czechoslovakia. Of !course the
answer frgm the US was not mentioned by Czech newspapers or by
50X1 Radio Prague. the US reply was masterfully written,
stating clearly not only the policy of the US regarding the re-
settlement in Germany of three million Germans expelled from Czechos-
lovakia but also about the progress being made in the program. The
US no doubt felt that Czech fears had been allayed and that they had
not irritated the Germans. But this important statement of US policy
hardly reached the Czech people because-VOA did not even broadcast
in its entirety the official statement. Such an item should have been
broadcast several times and included e*te'nsive and serious comments,
.SECRET'/SECURITY INFORMATION
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Communist propaganda, there are no radio hams in Czechoslovakia.
Excepting these, amateur radio. broadcasting is strictly forbidden.
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15. I hoo much time is devoted on VOA to programs of little
50X1 or no interest to Czech listeners. This is especially true of the
various specialized and entertainment programs. The idea behind
the specialized programs is good, but some could be shortened and
others eliminated and more desirable programs substituted. A good
example is the regular weekly broadcast for short wave radio hams.
With the exception of the very few Trade Union "Clubs" used to spread
rams from the VOA schedule. To believe that programs for youth
.should consist only of jazz music and sports news is a mistake:
potentially dangerious to the listener. Even when VOA programs are
not Jammed, technical difficulties make good reception of music
difficult. It may not he known outside of Czechoslovakia that
records of American Jazz, made in the CSR, can be easily purchased
in Prague; they sell for about 50 Per cent more than records of
"non-western" mu ;ic. Record.ingee made by such favorites as Duke
Music on domes is stations is witch easier to hear and is not so
Ellington and Benny Goodman can be obtained without any difficulty.
16. s'ugrest the following ideas for new programs that
would be of particular interest. to the people In Czechoslovakia:
50X1
50X1 (a)
one of the most popular in Czechoslovakia.
Abroad , consisting not of reports on the activities of polit-
ical exiles, but rather news about the resettlement of the
thousands of Czech refugees. A similar program aired by RFE
about life in Czech communities in all pat-ts of the world is
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it vjoul; be very good if, once a week, the main organ-
ization ~ ?c~ ;zdc east, dry;.. to the CSR, ie, VOA, RFE, BBC, Radio
Faris ~ ou d transmidt the same program at the same time over
all heIg :r'? wv.%re lengths. The program could be scheduled during
the weekend, and I. is lug c', in half an hour, a summary of the
week a s maim Y en lls, plus comments. The preparation of such a
program could be among the participants. Such a broad-
cast iau;:Ld. bu. c:ex a-r; ,omely important to the :listeners since the
effectiveness ; of jalicn t.ng would be drastically reduced by so
many e watio >: I:y: ?oaE ist!ng at the same time. In addition, such
coordination, would concretely de :;onstrate the unity of the
democratic wDr.I,d in the fight. against Communism, as well as
the unified va ppo: 5 of chose people under Soviet domination.
(b) the most popular -programs are the ones
50X1 ?tran sn.). ~ ;,tes , at 2100 hours ("Report From America") and at
1830 hours ("America. Calling Czechoslovakia"). Rather than
repeat hroadt,asts of these: programs during the night or in
50X1 the early morning, Oa completely new program at 2215
or 2230 hours wwaould be highly desirable. This is about the
time when most of the people are returning home from the numer-
ous meetings, etc that they are forced to attend. The program
need be only a 1.5 minute daily news resume plus the best
excerpts from all previous programs of the day.
The Czech people are hungry for entertainment based on politics.
Political sat.Ire in the form of takes, dialogues, or satirical
articles, read sirc.4ply, by a good announcer would be most
acceptable to the Czech listeners . in my opinion this should
50X1 be the only type of entertainment program on VOA.
(d) institut ng a program, called perhaps "Czechoslovaks
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 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release @ 50-Yr2013/05/20 : CIA-RDP82-00047R000100410009-5
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(e) A weekl? program should be devoted to the progress of science
in the `Free World". The people of Czechoslo#takia,. hermetically
sealed off`-ram the West, are eager to learn about the latest
technical and scientific developments. Such a program would
.give.the people added confidence in the growing strength of the
Western World,
(f) that a weekly program be directed at Communist
50X1 Party members* during which the Party would be attacked relent-
lessly. Purges of long standing Party member, their offenses
and threateped_punishments should not oily be reported but
also made the subject of commentaries. The life and deeds,
pr inises.,_and lies of Communist leaders.ehould be publicized.
By the same...token, rank and file CP fibers should be warned,,
but it should be' pointed out that they will be judged by their
deeds . and not Just by Party membership . Such a program would
cause chaos and disorganization. in Czechoslovakia, and increase
passive resistance on the part of the Czechs.
that all i mportant news published in news-
papers in the.CSR, particularly items concerning achievements
of the regime, cooperation with the USSR, etc, should be
explained in detail and the true picture given by VOA. This
should be done regularly.
16.- In conclusion,
50X1 L -1 the Voice of America is a part of the daily life of the
millions in Czechoslovakia; indeed the whole nation tries to tune
50X1 in VOA every day. The greater the number of people listening to VOA,
the greater the responsibility of those making these broadcasts.
A great deal of.harm can be done by irresponsible broadcasting. In
50X1 this connection
(a) A greater sense of responsibility should be adopted and more care
should be devoted to factual reporting.
(b) More emphasis should be placed on the survival of people behind
the Iron Curtain and less to the American way of life; ie, more
attention should be devoted to events and problems in Czechos?
la:va,lia, .;;
.(c) More of the human touch and more optimism should be included
in programs.
(d) The Communist Party should be more severely attacked; govern-
ment leaders should be assailed, but not to such an extent
that. the plain people would be forced to stick with the CP out
of desperation.
(e) The people of the CSR should be convinced of the growing strength
of the West; VOA should keep harping on the backwardness of the
Soviet-orbit in all fields of science.
(f) All programs should be prepared with the thought that the Voice
of America is playing a major role in shaping the future course
of history during this crucial struggle.
SECRET/SECUJR1.,Y INFORMATION
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release @ 50-Yr2013/05/20 : CIA-RDP82-00047R000100410009-5