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and information about U. S. policies, both of which are now conducted by the U. S. Information Agency (USIA). In addition, it includes the broadcasting of news.

Policy advice. The Director of USIA advises the President, Secretary of State and other officials whose decisions affect foreign policy on the foreign opinion implications of U. s. policy decisions.

A wide variety of means are employed to accomplish these objectives. Exchanges of persons from academia, jouralism, the arts, government, labor and business are financed by CU

to enhance the level of mutual understanding. Radio broadcasting and USIA exhibits, book activities, movie and television distribution, press placements and personal contacts can be and are directed toward both objectives.

CURRENT ORGANIZATION

The two Federal agencies with primary responsibility for the public diplomacy program are the U. S. Information Agency (USIA) and the State Department's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (CU). USIA is responsible for the information dissemination and the policy advice functions. CU carries on the cultural affairs function in Washington but cultural exchange is administered overseas by USIA personnel on behalf of CU, by 43 local Fulbright Commissions, and by

Disseminates abroad information about the United States, its people, and policies promulgated by the Congress, the President, the Secretary of State and other responsible Government officials affecting foreign affairs. Also arranges exchanges of publications between the U. S. and other countries and administers the field aspects of CU's exchange programs.

Background:

USIA was established in 1953 to remove operational activities from the Department of State. The cultural exchange functions that are now in CU were also scheduled to be included in the new agency, but opposition from some members of Congress (who feared the effects of consolidating the exchange programs with what they perceived as a "propaganda" agency) caused this

aspect of the proposal to be dropped.

Operations:

1.

Overseas missions.

The Agency operates 189 posts in 112 countries. These posts conduct informational and cultural programs (including the Exchange of Persons Program of CU) using materials prepared locally and by the media

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services in Washington.

Typically, these posts'

activities include: the provision of speakers and
seminars on subjects from the arts to economics to

foreign affairs; the administration of short and long
term exchange of leaders in politics, business,

academia, etc; the operation of English teaching

programs, cultural centers, libraries, programs of media relations, pres, TV and radio placement, and book promotion and distribution.

In large American embassies,

a USIA officer often serves as a full time press spokesman. Where possible, the post conducts limited public opinion surveys (usually using local private polling mechanisms) to survey foreign public opinion on subjects important to American foreign policy interests or useful in local USIA programming. USIA officers maintain relations with leaders in the press, universities, cultural community, etc. who often have no other U. S. Government contact.

These posts vary greatly in size, Many African country posts are staffed by one American and four or five local employees. In Brazil, as an example of a large country effort, there are USIA posts in seven cities with a total of 30 American and 137 local employees.

2.

Media services

-

These services provide support for

overseas country programs.

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(a)

Broadcasting Service (better known as the Voice of
America) produces radio broadcasts in English and
36 foreign languages. Programs are broadcast from
transmitters at five domestic and nine overseas locat-
ions. The service also supplies the overseas
missions with recorded radio programs and scripts

for use of foreign stations. VOA's responsibility is
to report the news, to broadcast analysis and
commentary presenting U. S. policies and positions,
and to provide the people of other countries with
information about American thought and institutions
generally.

(b) Press and Publications Service maintains communications facilities for the transmission of editorial,

(c)

news,

and feature materials for adaption by overseas missions.
It produces pamphlets and periodicals in English and
foreign language editions for worldwide and special
area distribution. The service also operates two
regional printing centers and provides overseas
missions with printing supplies and equipment.
Motion Picture and Television Service produces and
acquires motion picture and television programs which

are then translated into as many as 40 foreign

languages.

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3.

(a)

It adapts these programs for specific country

or area use, and supports the foreign production,
use, and distribution of films and television

programs.

Information Center Service supports U. S.-operated

libraries, reading rooms, and binational centers,
providing them with collections American publications,
both in English and in translation, and with English
language teaching materials. It assists American
publishers in distributing selected products overseas
and supports the publications of low-priced books
for sale abroad. The service also provides exhibits
and visual material to overseas missions for local

display, and provides books and periodicals for
presentation to selected individuals and groups.

Program direction and other services. -This activity

encompasses Agency managerial staff and centralized servicing functions. Included are the Office of the Director, the

Office of Policy and Plans, research, physical and personnel

security, legal counsel, and central administrative services.

Slightly over 25% of the budget funds go to VOA.

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