The Development of the Role of Assistant Secretary of Defense (Public Affairs) as a Reflection of Mass Media Uses and Functions in the United States Federal Government.
Abstract
This study examines the evolution of the public affairs function within the United States federal government. The study examines in detail the development of public affairs within the Department of Defense from the time of the National Security Act of 1947 until 1963. The major thesis of the study suggests that this development was uneven. From 1947 until 1957, the ranking Department of Defense public affairs officer was accorded little power, status, or prestige. Although Murray Snyder became the nation's first assistant secretary of defense solely with public affairs responsibilities, evidence suggests that it was not until 1961 that Arthur Sylvester, Snyder's successor, prompted significant changes within public affairs activities of the Pentagon. A number of reasons are given to suggest that considerable change took place in Department of Defense public affairs during the early 1960s. Perhaps the key change agent was President John F. Kennedy, who understood public affairs as well as if not better than any twentieth century president other than Franklin D. Roosevelt. Kennedy's leadership abilities and confidence in Sylvester as spokesman for the nation, combined with the president's polished use of the media provide the central evidence to prove the thesis. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 06, 1980
- Accession Number
- ADA095475
Entities
People
- James E. Swartz
Organizations
- United States Army Command and General Staff College