CONFIDENTIAL
8
30.
Even if those proposals for information services generally are not accepted, or are accepted but not immediately implemented, it is suggested that the SPU should be a unit under the direction of the DCS(SD) rather than a part of the present Information Services Department. It does not seem possible to incorporate the various members properly while the Unit is itself an appendage of the ISD. The present supernumerary post of Deputy Director of Information Services should be made permanent (or a grade of Assistant Director created) and the present substantive Deputy should continue to head the SPU. He would therefore be seconded to the Unit in the same way as is suggested for Administrative Officers. The administrative separation from ISD need not involve physical separation. ISD will still have to provide the outlets for most of the Units material and the Unit will be calling on the specialised services of the publicity division as at present.
31.
Apart from the establishment changes involved there will be necessary adjustments to the financial arrangements necessi- tating the creation of a vote on a permanent basis to meet personal emoluments as well as the running expenses of the Unit.
32.
Finally but not unimportantly there is the question of a name for the Unit. "Special Publicity Unit" as a title was as hastily conceived as the thing itself. It is unsuitable in that it is a) misleading since publicity is only an aspect of its purpose and b) because the word "special" is quite unsuitable for public consumption. In the initial and mainly counter-propaganda phase it was not intended to make public the existence or work of the Unit. It is still undesirable that it should in any way attract public attention, On the other hand, and especially as we enter a new, positive and consequently more open phase of propaganda the necessary contacts with departmental and other government organisa- tions, and quite frequently with non-government institutions and private firms, call. for some acceptable and reasonably accurate identification. Not only is "publicity" inaccurate but "special" is too suggestive of cloak-and-dagger and propaganda.
33.
It is probably impossible to approach the selection of a name scientifically. It is easier to say why words like "special" and "publicity" are unsuitable than to say which words are suitable. On the one hand, for example, the name might cught to convey something about information. On the other hand the use of the actual word "information" may lead to confusion about the Unit's relation to ISD. "Public Affairs" is an American term commonly accepted in this field. It has certain attractions and Public Affairs Section is one possible title. "Public Opinion" which, after all indicates the true purpose of the operation is another possibility - Public Opinion Section sounds odd but perhaps Public Opinion Liaison has a useful sound. The word 'community has even better overtones
/.......
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.