The Jeremiad Over Journalism

―Short of a trip to the United States, the type of seminar offered provided the most effective
means available to promote a better understanding of the U.S. with this priority group.‖ 346
In the 1970‘s parts of Danish youth inspired by the American counter-culture were highly critical
the United States, and the American Embassy officials therefore viewed teachers as the best way to
assuage these ―radical elements.‖ 347 Education was seen as a food chain where the aim was to
maximize influence at the top in the hope that it would flow down to the students. Several seminars
and educational exchange tours were therefore organized for the Danish teachers. Yet, according to
Ambassador Dean, the Americans had to educate the ―teachers of teachers‖ also since the teachers
themselves were viewed by Dean as ―widely radicalized.‖ American Embassy officials therefore
aimed to increase visits and informal contacts with ―teacher training institutions,‖ while continuing
to target ―USIS activities on youth and education,‖ and also sought more grants for teachers to visit
the United States. Only this way did the Ambassador Dean estimate, that the Danish youth could
―turn around‖ their anti-American views. 348
4.1.3 The Balance Battle
A trip to the United States was actually afforded to a great number of Danish teachers, journalists,
politicians, union members and scholars who were believed to be important opinion leaders or
agenda setters. Select Danes, who were deemed important by the employees at the American
Embassy in Copenhagen, like Information‘s Frank Osvald were among these opinion-leaders whose
visit was facilitated by USIE in Copenhagen. Osvald was selected for a ―European Journalists
Tour,‖ to the United States in 1969 and subsequently published two (critical) articles on American
346 Brooks McClure, "American Studies Seminar for Teachers of English at Teacher-Training Colleges in Middelfart,
May 10-12, 1970," (RG 59. General Records of the Department of State. Subject Numeric Files. Culture and
Information. EDU. 10-3. DEN. June 41970). ―American Studies Seminar for Teachers of English at Teacher-Training
Colleges in Middelfart, May 10-12, 1970.‖ Through the writings of Political Action Officer McClure these seminars
come across as a great cultural victory for the USIS. ―Teacher response to the seminar was enthusiastic,‖ wrote
McClure on June 4, 1970. ―Response was overwhelmingly favorable,‖ was the assessment on November 25, 1970.
―Teacher response was enthusiastic,‖ on December 8, 1971 and ―response highly favorable,‖ in the May 16, 1972
report.
347 Dean, "Annual Policy Assessment."
348 Ibid.
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