NSDD 130 United Nations International Information Policy

90930 THE WHITE HOUSE WASHINGTON SECRET March 6, 1984 UNCLASSIFIED NATIONAL SECURITY DECISION DIRECTIVE NUMBER 130. US International Information Policy (U) International information is an integral and vital part of US national security policy and strategy in the broad sense. Together with the other components of public diplomacy, it is a key strategic instrument for shaping fundamental political and ideological trends around the globe on a long-term basis and ultimately affecting the behavior of governments. (U) While improvements have been made in US international informa- tion programs and activities over the last several years, there is a need for sustained commitment over time to improv- ing the quality and effectiveness of US- international informa- tion efforts, the level of resources devoted to them, and their coordination with other elements of US national security policy and strategy. The role of international information considerations in policy formulation needs to be enhanced, and wider understanding of the role of international information should be sought within the Executive Branch as well as with the Congress and the public. (U) The fundamental purpose of US international information programs is to affect foreign audiences in ways favorable to US national interests. Such programs can only be credible and effective by respecting accuracy and objectivity. At the same time, the habits, interests, expectations and level of under- standing of foreign audiences may differ significantly from those, of the domestic American audience, and require different approaches and emphases in the selection and presentation of information. While US international information activities must be sensitive to the concerns of foreign governments, our information programs should be understood to be a strategic instrument of US national policy, not a tactical instrument of US diplomacy. We cannot accept foreign control over program content. (U) International Information Strategy Essential to a successful global information strategy is recognition of the diversity of the audiences the US seeks to address. Beyond the obvious differences among Western, UNCLASSIFIED SECRET