policy - The Black Vault

THE BDM CORPORATION
The administration sought the cooperation of the press in downplaying the
extent and nature of US involvement in Vietnam. 20/
The journalists in Vietnam did not cooperate. For example, by
liberal interpretation of the Geneva Agreements,
the United States could
have 692 military personnel in the Republic of Vietnam. By 1962, the
number was in excess of 10,000.
involvement in Vietnam angered President Kennedy,
Media reports of the size and nature of US
and his administration
took direct action to control media coverage of the US involvement. The
effect of this action was described by Homer Bigart in The New York Times'
house magazine:
[We] seem to be regarded by the American mission as
tools of our foreign policy.
Those who balk are apt to find it a bit lonely,
for tney are likely to be distrusted and shunned by
American and Vietnam off icials.21/
In 1963 media coverage of demonstrations and grisly selfimmolatior*
staged by militant Buddhist sects also served to disrupt
relatio ien the media and the US government. The Buddhists provided
selecte. ,. inj foreign newspersons sufficient advance notification of
antigovernment events to assure extensive coverage that would benefit their
cause. As one US advisor to the ARVN commented, the more important
reporters," ... got engraved invitations to the spontaneous demonstrations
and barbecues." 22/
The management of news sources to influence the kind of news
coming out of Vietnam became official US policy as stated in a State
Department classified message from the US
Mission.
A paraphrase of the cable reads:
Information Agency to the US
•?.
It [Saigons #1O06] stated that - news stories whict
criticized '--he Diem Government could not be "forbidden,"
but they only increase the difficulties of the US
job.
Newsmen should be advised that trifling or thoughtless
criticism of thie Diem government would make it difficult
to maintain cooperation between the United States
and Diem.
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