“The Central Intelligence Agency owns everyone of any significance in the major media.”

William Colby

CARL BERNSTEIN: THE CIA AND THE MEDIA
 

Underlying Reasons for Relationship

From the standpoint of the CIA - utilitarian value

·     the foreign correspondent is ideal

·     accorded unusual access

·     can cultivate sources

·     generate the right publicity (propaganda)

 

From the standpoint of the press - shared values and personal relationships

·     close to people in the OSS

·     shared the same political and professional values

·     national consensus about a national threat of “global communism” = prevailing orthodoxy

 

CIA Relationships with Journalists

•  Accredited staff members, usually reporters

•  Stringers and freelancers

•  Employees of CIA “proprietaries”

•  Columnists and commentators

 

Involved Media

The most valuable associations, according to CIA officials:

·     New York Times

·     CBS

·     Time Inc.

 

Ending the Relations??

In response to public disclosure the CIA began scaling down the program

 

Attempts to convince the press, Congress and public that the CIA had gotten out of the news business

 

Colby succeeded by George H.W. Bush

 

CIA would continue to “welcome” the voluntary, unpaid cooperation of journalists