Mission of the United States Information Agency

O.F. 21D USIA CENTRAL FILES I 3 1954 President Eisenhower established the basic mission of the United States Information Agency as follows: "To submit evidence to peoples of other nations by means of communication techniques that the objectives and policies of the U. S. are in harmony with and will advance their legitimate aspirations for freedom, progress, and peace. " USIA carries out this mission primarily by: 1. Interpreting policies of the U. S. Government. 2. Showing the correlation between U. S. policies and the legitimate aspirations of other peoples; 3. Unmasking and countering attempts to distort U. S. objectives; 4. Portraying aspects of U. S. life and culture which facilitate understanding U. S. policies and objectives, PROGRESS The U. S. Advisory Commission on Information, in its Ninth Semi-annual Report to Congress, stated: "The new Agency (USIA) is off to a good start. It has a new Director and a new directive from the President; a new concep- tion of its mission, a new form of organization, and many new men in its top positions." The Advisory Commission listed the following USIA improvements: 1. The Director now reports through the NSC to President Eisenhower; 2. USIA, through participation in the Operations Coordination Board, is fully informed on policy and is thereby enabled to set plans well in advance; 3. The Department of State and other departments and agencies offer policy guidance to USIA: 4. Authority given to USIA to dismiss incompetent personnel has re- sulted in greater efficiency; 5. USIA has set up its own board for personnel promotions and problems concerning transfers; 6. USIA has established its own security office; 7. Decentralization has taken place, and four assistant directors for four overseas regions have been appointed; 8. The fiscal 1955 budget has been set up on a regional basis, thereby permitting concentration of effort in areas where the need is greatest. YRIS - 22 Mailing # 15