The Jeremiad Over Journalism

on the United States, in the eyes of Americans, then the response from the Department of State
could be to make Danish media feel the consequences of their unbalanced coverage by cutting off
their assistance in setting up interviews with prominent Americans. For example, when the Danish
Broadcast Service aired a three-hour show called ―Whither America,‖ about America‘s problems in
terms of economy, race, crime and national politics, it caused several telegrams to be sent back and
forth between the Department of State and the American Embassy in Copenhagen. In the end, the
Department of State explicitly encouraged Ambassador Dudley to take the matter up with high-
ranking Danish politicians and journalists and make clear that such journalistic output would have
consequences for future cooperation.
―We support your conclusion not to make formal protest to Danish government or TV. We
believe such action would only serve to give program additional publicity and further the
purpose of our critics. However at your discretion as occasion may arise you might express to
government leaders, top Danish TV officials, and other influential Danes our surprise and
unhappiness over one-sidedness of program and its detrimental effect on Danish-American
relations. You might emphasize that Danish TV had considerable assistance for program in
U.S. with participation of prominent Americans who had every reason to believe program
would not be unbalanced [my emphasis]. Unfortunately, this incident cannot but have an
influence on future cooperation with Danish government TV and radio.‖ 354
It is not possible to tell from the archival records whether the American ambassador to Denmark
actually brought up the matter with ―top Danish TV officials,‖ but the telegram does serve as a
testament to American attempts, and explicit willingness, to influence Danish journalism in the
direction of more balanced coverage; at least on matters important to the United States.
Osvald and ―Whither America‖ were not the only indicators of American officials‘ disappointment
in Danish coverage of their country. During the late 1960‘s and early 1970‘s when the United States
was going through a tumultuous time both domestically and overseas, there were regular examples
of negative stories published in Danish media. However, based on the reports sent home, what
seems to have concerned American officials like Goodman most were the negative stories coming
354 E. W. Fleisher, "Danish TV Program on U.S.," (National Archives. RG 59. General Records of the Department of
State. Subject Numeric Files 1970-1973. Economic. TEL CHILE - TEL 8-2 Ecuador-US. Box 1579. December
141970).
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