USIA's Integration Into the State Department
USIA's Integration Into the State Department

Author:

Publisher:

Published: 2003

Total Pages: 17

ISBN-13:

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On October 1, 1999 the United States Information Agency (USIA) was abolished and its functions were transferred to the State Department, ending a four-year battle between the Clinton Administration and Republican Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Senator Jesse Helms on the fate of USIA. The integration of USIA into the State Department is remarkable, not only for the reasons the senior staffer noted above, but also because it ensured that American public diplomacy at the beginning of the 21st century would be defined by more policy advocacy and less promotion of mutual understanding. In this paper, I will offer my view of the factors that led to Senator Helms' remarkable achievement. I will argue that a much reduced budget, a lack of a strong vision for USIA in the post Cold War era, and partisan politics, left the Agency very vulnerable. But, in the end, it was the new globalized world of instant information and round-the-clock media coverage that sealed USIA's fate. The information technology revolution dealt "policy advocates" a stronger hand than the "promoters of mutual understanding," thereby allowing the move of the USG's public diplomacy functions to the State Department. I will also ask, three years after the fact, if integration was the right thing to do.

U. S. Public Diplomacy
U. S. Public Diplomacy

Author: Kennon H. Nakamura

Publisher: DIANE Publishing

Published: 2010-11

Total Pages: 70

ISBN-13: 1437927491

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Public diplomacy describes a government¿s efforts to conduct foreign policy and promote national interests through direct outreach and commun. with the population of a foreign country. Activities include providing info. to foreign publics through broadcast and Internet media and at libraries and other outreach facilities in foreign countries; conducting cultural diplomacy, such as art exhibits and music performances; and admin. internat. educational and professional exchange programs. This report discusses the issues concerning U.S. public diplomacy. Determining levels of public diplomacy funding. Establishing capabilities to improve monitoring and assessment of public diplomacy activities. Charts and tables.

Public Diplomacy in the Years Ahead - an Assessment of Proposals for Reorganization
Public Diplomacy in the Years Ahead - an Assessment of Proposals for Reorganization

Author: United States. General Accounting Office

Publisher:

Published: 1977

Total Pages: 37

ISBN-13:

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An analysis was undertaken of the recommendations made by the Panel on International Information, Education, and Cultural Relations for changing the administration of public diplomacy. Present operations are primarily under the State Department's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs and the U.S. Information Agency (USIA). The Panel proposed reassignment of the USIA policy functions to the Department of State . GAO believes that these functions cannot be separated from other information functions and should be retained by USIA. The Panel also proposed formation of a new autonomous agency to replace USIA and consolidate domestic and overseas cultural functions. GAO believes that this would lead to more efficient administration. The Panel recommended that the Voice of America be made an independent agency to give it greater credibility. GAO does not find evidence of lack of credibility and believes the present relationship between the Voice of America, USIA, and State should be preserved and efforts should be made to improve the relationships.