Foreign Relations of the United States, 1917–1972, Volume VII, Public Diplomacy, 1964–1968

114. Memorandum From President Johnson to the Director of the United States Information Agency (Marks)¹

Washington, November 26, 1966

During my recent trip to the Far East, I visited the educational television station in Pago Pago, American Samoa,² and saw how television is being used to improve the level of learning in elementary and secondary schools.

I believe that educational television can play a vital role in assisting less-developed countries in their educational effort. These stations can be used for adult education and information programs during evening hours. Community leaders can use these channels for discussion of important public issues.

For these reasons, I am appointing a Task Force with the following assignment:

1. Assess the value of educational television broadcasting for primary and secondary schools in less-developed countries.

2. Report on plans being made for educational television outside the United States and how the United States may participate most effectively in this effort.

3. Advise whether AID education programs and other foreign assistance can be better concentrated on this effort within their present limits.

Representatives of the Agency for International Development, the Department of State, U.S. Information Agency, Department of Health, Education, and Welfare, and the Peace Corps are designated as members of the Task Force. Leonard H. Marks, Director of the U.S. Information Agency, is to act as Chairman of the Task Force and Douglass Cater of my staff as liaison with the various departments or governmental agencies involved.

This Task Force should commence its work immediately and submit a preliminary report within 90 days and a final report on or before July 1, 1967.

Lyndon B. Johnson

1. Source: Johnson Library, Office Files of the White House Aides, Files of S. Douglass Cater, Box 40, Cater, Douglass: Material on the Task Force on Educational Television in Less-Developed Countries. No classification marking. On November 26, the Office of the White House Press Secretary released the text of a memorandum addressed to Rusk, Gardner, Marks, Gaud, and Vaughn that contained the text of the memorandum printed here. A reference slip attached to this copy, dated December 5 and addressed to Louchheim and other recipients in the Department of State, indicated that Frankel would represent the Department on the task force and that Batson would attend the first meeting. (National Archives, RG 59, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs Files, Assistant Secretary for Educational and Cultural Affairs Subject Files, 1965–1966, Lot 69D260, Entry UD UP 175, 1966 EDU 9–6 Educational Media)
2. Johnson visited Pago Pago, American Samoa, on October 18. (Johnson Library, President’s Daily Diary) This visit was part of an extensive regional trip to Asia; see Document 111.