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United States. Office of the US High Commissioner for Germany. Information Services Division / RIAS, Berlin
([195-])
Minor campaign - (RIAS youth broadcast), pp. 23-24
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Page 23
- 22 participating. In the course of the festival more than 1,500,000 youngsters, in spite of discouragement of all sorts, crosseu the sec- toral--borders and more than 1,000 of them visited RIAS to-tell of their needs and ask for advice and assistance. They were received and enter- tained in the largest RIAS studio and enthusiastically listened to popular RIAS programs and dance music of the blest , forbidden in the Soviet Zone. The youngsters also had the opportunity to listen to,$ meet, and ask questions of Mr. John J. McClo', US High Comnmrissioner, Dr. Kurt Schumacher, Chairman of the SPD, Jakob Kaiser, Federal Minister for All-German Affairs- and many other political personalities. A 17-year-old FDJ member best summed up the feelings of the visitors in stating "Here in this radio station we are really human beings. hiere we can say what we think and not what has been hammered into us in our zone!" of BIAS Youth Broadcasts In February, 1952, the Central Council of the FDJ became aware of a growing apathy and lethargy in the ranks of its followers caused by an overconcentration on political indoctrination and training. In order to stimulate FDJ members and instil them with new spirit, the Central Council called for criticism and self-criticism and, after purges of some functionaries, proceeded to announce publicly the new- slogan of "'joyful youth activities" with programs of sports, games and dancing. Iotwithstanding this announcement, political indoctri- nation continued to take up the major part of the FDJ programs. RIAS then picked up the sl6gan of "'joyful youth activities" in five broadcasts directed to Soviet Zone youth, suggesting that only such chairmen be elected locally as would implement programs of sports, games and dancing. "If the Central Council (of the FDJ) in its criticism talks of ever decreasing basic units, it confirms the possi- bilities which you have been able to realize following the Youth Festival. And- if the council now publicly de- mands the introduction of the 'joyful youth activities' - 25 -
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