Project Kingfish 1951-1967
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A major tactic called upon by the USIA in its media messages hinged on the
somewhat contradictory practice of “bait and propaganda.” The latter was exem
plified by the Agency’s belief that all output was tied to U.S. foreign policy and
every item had some purpose other than straight information or news reporting.
The thinking was that there was virtually nothing that the Agency couldn’t ratio
nalize as helping to advance program objectives, and only the good judgment of
experienced people could determine whether the rationalization was valid. How
ever, the bait tactic also used by the Agency was supported by the belief that mate
rial that entertains, instructs, or interests an audience opened the doors to harderhitting messages. In a newsreel sequence, a story “with a hook in it” was consid
ered effective in the message reaching its audience. In films, the thinking was that
entertainment must come first, with stronger content introduced gradually. From
the bait perspective, nonpolitical films on Americana or technical subjects, for
showings to Communist or pro-Communist elements, opened the way for more
potent propaganda movies and were a means of developing contacts (Bogart, 1995,
151-152).
Other USIA propagandist^ tactics included:
Free distribution of pamphlets and publications in countries where no
other organizations provided this, but charging a price in more sophisti
cat