861.00/10–1946: Telegram
The Chargé in the Soviet Union (Durbrow) to the Secretary of State
[Received 11:56 a.m.]
3900. Confirmation that Soviet press is instrument of Communist Party, which can speak only with Party’s voice, and of importance of careful study press in following Soviet policy lines was contained in Culture and Life No. 4, July 30.
Article in that authoritative publication stated that it was pertinent to recall party directive of 1922 re editorials in provincial press. They must give “leadership, guidance and indicate basic line of behavior”. Article stated that inasmuch as editorial is called upon to express point of view of Party, thesis of editorial cannot be subject for debate. “Newspaper editorial must be accepted as directive.”
Above article is further confirmation that “freedom of press” and “self-criticism” in USSR mean only freedom of central authorities to utilize press to criticize those who are not satisfactorily carrying out directives of center.
Repeated to Paris as 410; London 395.
Department repeat to Nanking and Tokyo.