811.91261/11–846: Telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to the Chargé in the Soviet Union (Durbrow)
1972. New York Times this A.M. carries story Hottelet, Magidoff, Stevens refused use Soviet short-wave facilities to relay broadcasts to U.S. Networks concerned cited as source. Refusal facilities, according story, attributed by Soviet authorities to heavy winter schedule of shortwave programs which precluded allotment of time to correspondents. According networks time consumed at most 30 mins day often less. Refusal facilities, story adds, surprising view fact Soviet known to have world’s most elaborate short-wave operations second only to that Great Britain. Adds 18 hours 40 mins, predominantly political talks beamed each week N. Am, additional 8 hours 45 mins beamed UK N. Am.65 Suggested several quarters, according story, Soviet officials might feel could effectively control written word while could not control inflection broadcaster’s voice. American wire services, papers picking up story. Dept’s only comment confirm facts of story state watching developments.
At request CBS, other two networks, Dept. earlier today was preparing instructions suggesting, at your discretion, exploratory conversations with FonOff as to reasons for ban, if necessary formal representations in behalf correspondents in effort have ban lifted.
Later in day, however, Ed Murrow CBS dispatched and gave to press following telegram to Stalin: “Our correspondent in Moscow Richard C. Hottelet advised us on Oct. 8 that facilities for broadcasting from Moscow had been withdrawn. Repeated efforts to secure reconsideration of this decision have been unavailing. It is our desire to report the news of Russia by radio but the denial of facilities makes this impossible. Therefore unless your Government’s decision is reconsidered we shall withdraw our correspondent forthwith.” You may inform Hottelet of cable sent by Murrow.
[Page 804]View dispatch of cable by Murrow you may at your discretion wish to postpone taking matter up with FonOff for several days on off-chance Murrow cable may work. Please report any developments.
- The New York Times article makes clear that of the total output of Soviet short wave operations, 18 hours and 40 minutes of programs, predominantly political talks, are directed specifically each week to North America, and an additional 8 hours and 45 minutes of programs are beamed to the United Kingdom and North America.↩