Investigation Of The State Department Voice Of America Broadcasts

Focuses on alleged mismanagement in location and construction of Voice of America transmitter stations.

Examines the troubled existence of the Voice of America (VOA), the US government's international shortwave radio agency, following WWII. Explains that the VOA's troubles, including slashed budgets, canceled projects, and neglect by its operating agency, were the results of rivalries that shaped American politics during these years, especially the Republican drive to roll back the New Deal, the ongoing contest between conservative members of Congress and the Truman administration, and disputes over the VOA's proper purposes. Krugler teaches history at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville. Annotation copyrighted by Book News Inc., Portland, OR

Both Truman and Eisenhower combined bully pulpit activity with presidentially directed messages voiced by surrogates whose words were as orchestrated by the administration as those delivered by the presidents themselves. A Review of the private strategizing sessions concerning propaganda activity and the actual propaganda disseminated by the Truman and Eisenhower administrations reveals how they both militarized propaganda operations, allowing the president of the United States to serve as the commander-in-chief of propaganda activity. As the presidents minimized congressional control over propaganda operations, they institutionalized propaganda as a presidential tool, expanded the means by which they and their successors could perform the rhetorical presidency, and increased presidential power over the country's Cold War message, naturalizing the Cold War ideology that resonates yet today. Of particular interest to scholars and students of political communication, the modern presidency, and Cold War history.