What was the purpose of the Office of War Information?
Geography · Middle School · Tue Nov 03 2020
Answered on
The purpose of the Office of War Information (OWI) was to centralize and coordinate information services of the United States government during World War II. It was established on June 13, 1942, to disseminate propaganda to influence public opinion and to promote support for the war effort at home and abroad.
The OWI had several key functions:
1. Propaganda: One of the primary purposes was to produce pro-Allied, anti-Axis propaganda to encourage support for the war effort. This propaganda was disseminated through various media, including posters, radio broadcasts, films, and pamphlets.
2. Media Coordination and Censorship: The OWI coordinated the release of war news for domestic use and served to advise international journalists about American war policy and activities. This included censorship responsibilities, ensuring that no information that could potentially aid the enemy was published or broadcast.
3. Overseas Information: The OWI operated the Voice of America, which provided broadcasts to foreign countries with news about the war, American policies, and American culture. These broadcasts intended to counter enemy propaganda and promote positive views of the United States and its allies.
4. Domestic Morale: The OWI worked to maintain high morale on the home front. It did so by promoting themes such as patriotism, sacrifice, and the importance of the civilian contribution to the war effort.
5. Policy Guidance: The agency provided guidance to other government agencies about how to present their messages to the public and how to align their communications with overall war messages and themes.
6. Cultural Preservation: The OWI recognized the importance of cultural exchange and aimed to preserve and promote the cultural heritage of the United States, even in times of war.
By fulfilling these purposes, the OWI significantly impacted both the domestic and international perception of the United States during World War II and the global understanding of the conflict.