FOREIGN BROADCASTS

• Document Type: FOIA
• Collection: FOIA Collection
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 0002962647
• Release Decision: IPPUB U
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: June 24, 2015
• Document Release Date: March 25, 2011
• Case Number: F-2011-00412
• Publication Date: April 7, 1953

APPROVED FOR
(b)(1)
RELEASEL DATE:
(b)(3)
14-Mar-2011
C-ENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
INFORMATION REPORT
COUNTRY
SUBJECT Foreign BroAdcasts
hET
This Document contains Information affecting the Na-
tional Defense of the United States, within the mean-
ing of Title 18, Sections 793 and 794, of the U.S. Code, as
amended. Its transmission or revelation of its contents
to or receipt by an unauthorized person Is prohibited
by law. The reproduction of this form Is prohibited.
REPORT NO.
DATE DISTR.
NO. OF PAGES
REQUIREMENT NO.
REFERENCES
THE SOURCE EVALUATIONS IN THIS REPORT ARE DEFINITIVE.
THE APPRAISAL OF CONTENT IS TENTATIVE.
(FOR KEY SEE REVERSE)
1a
7 April 1953
?
Listening to foreign broadcasts in Czechoslovakia is not forbidden. except in groups
of more than three; in other works, people can listen to foreign broadcasts at
home,.but.inviting.neighbors and friends.in to listen is forbidden. The
spreading and dissemination of what is heard is labeled:n~i-state activity and
.is strictly-forbidden. I do-not know-whether those peop'Ie who listen to foreign
broadcasts listen . regularly, but. it ismy,opinion that 90% of the populatioi,.
including Communists, listened either to-VOAor BBC. Listening .to Western. broadcasts
is.forbidden to military personnel in barracks and ca pp areas, but they
undoubtedly.listenedto foreign broadcasts anyway. None of them dared talk
about the programs they heard.so I cannot say which .type was the most o ular.
I last listened.to VOA broadcast district
of Beroun, on the 19 and. 41 meter bands.
2. Tesla.Electronics Corporation. manufactured all the radio sets. on the market
when ,I left. Following are the names and prices of some of these sets:
Talisman , three or more tubes, 5,500 c?kc n.,:: t .Pionyr, three or more tubes, 5,500-
8,000 :kcs .!J Largo, five tubes, 11200-1,500 kca 6is I have no production f res
for any of these sets,
there was no plan to X*eyjAut~ any 01 e u es w wea er onesor u e_s of another
type.. Parts were available only for those sets manufactured after World War II.
STATE ~ x I ARMY I X I NAVY I X I A I R X I FBI I IAEC
(Note: Washington Distribution Indicated By "X"; Field Distribution By "i".)
Itu -lot)
 RET,
I...edtitate that-95% of radio set owners have sets 'to receive ;programs
d
s
tere
on .ong, short, and medium wave. Each radio set had to be regi
with postal authorities', the owner received a license""of operation
A tax of 75 crowns every three months was levied on each radio.
The foreign broadcasts which were Jammed most were those of RFE.and.VOA.
The jamming was not regular aA:d at times in the winter during very
cold weather both could be heard very well. Least jammed are the BBC.
broadcasts from London which consequently could usually be, heard very
well.
The following are my suggestions for the improvement of VOA programs:
a., VOA should broadcast more programs aimed at the housewife because
she has more opportunity to listen to foreign broadcasts,
particularly during the day, and could tell her husband what she
had heard. The influence of the mother on the children should
also be taken under cgnsideratiOn in planning programs.
b. More programs should be directed at military personnel, because
of the vast number of personnel in uniform and ;the importance: of ,
the military force in the event of war. The fact that the
soldiers are serving in an armed fords for which the country.
presumably has'no need should be pointed out to them.
c. Any technical improvement which would overcome.Jaiming and
strengthen the power of VOA would be most welcome. Apparently
the programs are much better than those of other western broad-
casters which would account for the strenuous efforts to jam
w0A. transmissions.
Discussions with refugees are very effective; they serve to
remind people that esoape is possible.
The program transmitted at..2100 hours was the most popular;
therefore, I suggest that the long commentaries on this program
be shortened and more news of the world be substituted.`
FRET