Documents relating to intelligence on the soviet union. About the cia provided the reagan administration. Included in the release were video briefings created by the director of intelligence for policy makers. The soviet communist party hasnt faced a serious internal threat to the political rule since the 1920s. Yet after years of forced sacrifices by the population, shortages of food and clothing persist. Housing remains inadequate. Arttistic expression is stifled. And growing corruption reaches into all levels of society. The soviet people respond with public display of cynicism. They almost never openly challenge the authority of the leadership. The sow yet regime doesnt hesitate to enforce the rule through the violence and oppression of individual liberty. It prefers various propaganda techniques. The use from cradle to grave by the kremlin has helped to ensure at least the passive acceptance of the rule by the soviet people. The soviet regime deses mates propaganda through a vast net work. This propaganda net work encompasses 4,000 newspapers. A large Book Publishing empire. A nationwide radio and tv system. And a stream of public lectures. For example, about 15 million lectures are given each year by the knowledge society. A major component of the propaganda net work. The regime works through mass public organizations such as the communist youth leelg and trade union. The and agitation armed forces and the National Educational system to indoctrinate various population. Professionals are dispatched continuously to enforce ideology conformity. Socialist indoctrination soviet style is introduced leearly in childs education. A small area set up to the exploits of lemon as the great leader of first socialist revolution in the world. In music class for example, children learn to express their love through hymns sung on holidays. Soviet Elementary Education is kashlgtized by a suffocating paternalism. Assurance of personal security is offered by the state in return for strict conformity. And the suppression of individual expression. In art classes for example, all children are required to draw the same object in exactly the same way. And using the same colors. Also theres no am bigty for soviet school children. Only right and wrong answers and repetition of the so called right answer is the basis of soviet learning. In this manner the natural spontaneity of children is gently controlled by the teacher. There by guided along the path of socialist behavior considered proper by the state. Individuality has always been discouraged in russia. The head or of the family set the rules of behavior. And dissent by other members was not tolerated. This has been continued by the state. Soviet citizens are continuing the tradition and are encouraged from childhood to suppress their individual aspirations. In favor of collective or state interest. As a result they often appear to be fearful of individual expression. And many have grown dependent on a paternalistic government. Which is more than willing to make decisions for them. The leadership dream of a socialist society where everyone works in unison to build communism and where discipline and order are selfimposed seems more distant than ever. Because of this, the regime is compelled to issue an endless stream of rules and regulations. In an effort to direct the lives of the soviet people. As one summed it up. Whats not forbidden is compulsory. Knowing which rules to break and which to obey. In recent years soviet leaders have become increaseingly concerned over a growing popular rejection of collective social responsibility. And a trend towards the private per suit of individual activity such as jazz, religion, under ground art and the second economy. The regime has responded by stepping up efforts to reduce contacts with the west. And has launched a Propaganda Campaign to persuade the population that such contacts are antisocial. And praises those workers who allegedly devote their labor to the aims of soviet society. At the expense of private goals. Good news regarding the achievements of ordinary citizens. Often depicting them as heros. The leadership aware the welfare oriented features of the system are those that have brought the most positive response from the people. Consequently the regime gives heavy publicity to the standard of living and plays down public suspicion that the economy stagnated in recent years. Admitting the soviet union lags behind the west in providing consumer goods. The propaganda says russia had been a back ward country at the tame of the revolution. And progress towards the socialist idea had been halted by world war ii. In no way does the regime blame its problems on deficiencies in the system. At the same time propaganda plays on the high priority many soviet citizens place on personal security. By claiming that the distribution of income, education, and Health Benefits are more equitable than capitalist countries. To under score this claim the regime points to the lack of job security and the existence of unemployment in western market economies. The problem began da machine exploits Crime Statistics from western countries. And makes it appear the u. S. In particular is a lawless society. Where the individuals physical security is constantly at risk. The soviet media go to Great Lengths to portray the leadership as committed to the welfare of the common man. Shortcomings in the supply of consumer goods are attributed to individual cases of manager inefficiency. And corruption. On the part of lower level function nar. The heerd ship provides excuses and scapegoats for economic problems in effort to deflect criticism from higher officials and the communist system. The identification of russian nationalism with soviet communism is an important aspect of soviet propaganda. Perhaps the achievements of soviet union have been purchased at such great personal and national sacrifice the soviet union status as world power allows the regime to draw from a deep well in the russian personality. Love a country. The leadership has played on this impulse with a considerable degree of success. And by cleverly tieing russian nationalism to soviet communism has produced soviet patriotism. The result is an important social bond. Even among some members of nonrussian National Minority groups. In this the party fully utilizes propaganda to exaggerate the achievements of the soviet union. Portraying soviet involvement in the third world as. The most powerful that victory provide a inexhaustible source of pride in the average citizen. The party of course identifies itself with that great achievement by portraying the war as a struggle on behalf of the sacred mother land under the guidance of the communism party. This theme will receive even greater emphasis during the 40th anniversary celebration of germanys defeat in may 1985. The regime also has received considerable benefit from the soviet union exploits in space. And International Sports competition. Attributes achievements to the superiority of socialism. Sports is seen as an out let for popular energy. And a distraction from the hardship of daily life. The soviet union referred to the in the west as closed society. And the ability to insulate the population from exposure to foreign information and ideas not only confirms this notion but provides it with a major prop for the soviet system. Throughout russian history contacts with foreigners were discouraged. And it was practically impossible for a foreigner to live or operate a business in the country. Until 1703 all domestic and foreign news was deemed a state secret. And foreign news has been regarded with deep suspicion. Ever since. In recent years however, expanded contacts with the west and Tech Knowledge kal. Soviet citizens have greater access to information from abroad. Particularly through radio prod cast. And from unofficial sources within their country. This has enabled them to compare their standard of living to other standards. And therefore to become more aware of alternatives to the soviet system. For this reason the regime in recent years has increaseingly sought to make its propaganda more credible in order to counter the influence of western ideas. Moscow has tended to release more information on a selective basis about the proceedings of official soviet organizations. And hold periodic western style news conferences. Releasing more information about foreign and domestic events the regime can put its own interpretation on the events. And combat what the population hears from western sources. The regime made a particularly vigorous effort in the regard. Following the downing of flight 007 in 1983. While this propaganda effort appeared to backfire in the west. Soviet citizens accepted the version as correct. Party leader has called for an increase counter Propaganda Campaign to resist what he calls the full scale information and propaganda invasion launched by the United States against the soviet union. This Campaign Features greater vigilance against the alleged efforts of western propaganda to under mine the ussr internally. In addition soviet counter propaganda all dimensions of life in the west. Charges the United States with acting to increase the danger of nuclear war. And the accuses washington of engaging in a wide variety of transgressions in the international arena. Supporting the apar tide in south africa. And establishing over latin america. At the same time the regime acted more vigorously to suppress unofficial sources of information within the country. Such as under ground publication. And reduce the population susceptibility to foreign news be i jamming foreign radio forecast. And limiting. The are enforced a psychology of disstress to foreigners and equate criticism of the soviet system with disloyalty to the mother land. In fact moscow has reentdly broadened the definition of trn in a way that makes virtually any association with Foreign Residents suspect. The most ruthless propaganda is reserved for the soviet dissents. Those who openly and braiseingly dare to challenge the authority. No effort is spared to isolate, ridicule and humiliate such individuals. The regime has largely succeeded in portraying the disdents as disloyal and fully deserving imprisonment and exile. The regime often compels any defector to publicly denounce his or her decision to leave. And denigrate the west as an undesirable place to live. The television interview. Who defected and returned is another vivid example. The regime also glorifies the kgb and border gourds. Pictures them as heros. Such propaganda is intended as indock ri nation. And intimidation. To remind the people the state is it fully capable of who step out of line. Their daily experiences demonstrate to them the falsity of the propaganda. Even when it is not believed. It is a powerful instrument of manipulation for the regime. It defines the limit of permissible discussion. And sets parameters on whats considered legitimate and what will not be tolerated. Cspan washington journal live every day. With news and policy issues that impact you. Coming up wednesday morning. American University Law professor talks about race and criminal justice reform. And a discussion about politics in the media with the washington examiner. Be sure to watch cspan washington journal. Live at 7 eastern wednesday morning. Join the discussion. American history tv on cspan 3. This week in prime time. Starting at 8 00 p. M. Eastern. Wednesday night black Voter Suppression in the 1940s. During the congressional debate. Representative of indiana said quote what a travesty. Were sending negros by the thousands to the firing line to die and fight for freedom. Telling thm they have no part in freedom at home. Thursday night president jacksons political struggle to challenge and cripple the powerful bank of United States. Already by 1829 when he had been president of three months. Jackson was writing friend that the only thing that can prevent our liberties to be crushed by the bank and its influence would be to kill the bank itself. Friday night an interview with senator john mccain. On the vietnam wars impact on his life and the country. I dont hold a grudge against the north vietnam. I dont like them. There are some i would never want to see again. But at the same time i was part of a conflict. And i thought they were some of the meanest people i have ever met in my life. And never want to see again. But were several that were good people. And were kind to me. So thats why it was much easier for me to support along with president clinton and others the normalization of relations with our two countries. To heal the wounds of war. This week in prime time. On cspan 3. Cspans student cam. The tweets say it all. Student cam in action. Video editing and splicing for constitutional documents. This group showed us how its done. Two stellar interviews in one day. They ask hard hitting questions about Immigration Reform and the dream act. Were asking students to choose a provision of the u. S. Constitution. And create a video illustrating why its important. Our competition is open to all middle school and high school students. Grade 6 through 12. 100,000 in cash prizes will be awarded. The grand prize of 5,000 will go to the student or team with the best over all entry. The deadline is january 18. Get contest details on our web site. Student cam. Org. This next cia video briefing from 1986 depicted how soviet state run media portrayed america. In 2011 the Agency InformationManagement Services declassified over 200 documents regarding intelligence on the soviet union. That the cia provided the reagan administration. Included were cia video briefings created by the direct tr of intelligence for policy makers. The people dont have power in your country. What you have is crime, unemployment, drug addiction. I dont think your young people do anything but harm to their country