The Changing Role of British International Propaganda

Abstract

Britain's international propaganda is con ducted through three principal agencies: the official Information Service, the External Services of the British Broadcasting Cor poration, and the British Council. Their primary objectives at the present time are to promote understanding of the policies and actions of the British government, to promote British ex ports, and to further the knowledge and use of the English language. After a period in which the greatest effort was directed to the former colonial territories and the Indian sub continent, there is now a partial shift of attention toward Europe. Both the British Council and the External Services of the BBC, though financed by the government and subject to a measure of official guidance in deciding which countries to operate in or broadcast to, have independent control over their own operations. They work within a tradition of objec tivity. The activities of the three agencies, as at present or ganized, are thought to be well adapted to the requirements of a medium-sized power in the contemporary world.