Are you 100 percent sure that was the direct quote? The way I
understand it, the phrase Mighty Wurlitzer came about when Wisner was
discussing the planning and execution of a covert operation. The
reference to media was most certainly referring to Cold War-era radio
services that Allied (Western) countries (US, West Germany, France,
Belgium) ran like Radio Free Europe and others that existed to display
what Americans and Europeans considered to be their values and, within
that, some would argue that these radio stations were at times overtly
subservise - they were, that was the point. Now on the web, some folk
will likely try to steer you around to believing that the CIA controls
and manipulates newsmedia. The answer is irrelevant. They don't have
to. Leaks, etc that come out of Washington are intentional (except
for the occasional exposee - which is usually politically motivated in
some form or fashion ultimately. Read up on Wisner, he's interesting.
Also, if you are into espionage and Central Intelligence officers
running sources in various countries, check out Robert Littell's The
Company. It is a fictionalized (but very accurate) history of the CIA
from its beginnings after the Second World War ended and its
predecessor, the OSS, was closed down. |