Radio Diplomacy and Propaganda: The BBC and VOA in International Politics, 1956–64 (Studies in Diplomacy and International Relations)

Radio Diplomacy and Propaganda investigates the role of international radio broadcasting in diplomacy during the Cold War period and, in particular, the contribution of the BBC and the Voice of America in the construction and projection of foreign policy, together with their role in the dissemination of international propaganda. In addition the radio broadcasts which were monitored in Britain and the US are scrutinized to ascertain how they contributed to the formulation of foreign policy objectives and reactionary propaganda. Gary D. Rawnsley brings together recently declassified material, both in Britain and the United States, and the recollections of participants to chart the use and abuse of the BBC external services and the Voice of America during the Suez crisis, the Hungarian uprising, the Cuban missile crisis and the beginning of the American involvement in Vietnam. He demonstrates that the media are crucial to an informed understanding of the diplomatic process, and in doing so encourages readers to view the Cold War from a fresh and exciting perspective. Front Matter....Pages i-x Introduction....Pages 1-5 Radio Diplomacy and Propaganda....Pages 6-17 The Suez Crisis, 1956: The Lion's Whisper....Pages 18-66 The Hungarian Uprising, 1956: Ambitious Aims, Limited Means....Pages 67-108 The Cuban Missile Crisis, 1962: Two Colossi, A Trembling World....Pages 109-143 The Commitment to Vietnam: Hearts and Minds....Pages 144-165 Back Matter....Pages 166-224