Identifier

etd-11162015-115028

Degree

Master of Mass Communication (MMC)

Department

Mass Communication

Document Type

Thesis

Abstract

The press was outraged when reports in 1973 exposed the CIA’s use of American journalists as undercover informants during the Cold War. The CIA-journalists link represented for the press a shocking break in the traditional line between journalists and government. A study of journalist Carl W. Ackerman’s experiences in the First World War suggests, however, that the CIA-journalists link has historical precedents in the practices of twentieth-century reporters. Ackerman, who later became the first dean of Columbia Journalism School, sent confidential reports to the State Department while reporting overseas for magazines and newspapers. He forged close relationships with a number of American and foreign government officials, offering them his cooperation and service. This thesis details Ackerman’s cooperation with government during the Great War and is the first step to an understanding of the systematic, close relationship between numerous progressive journalists and the Wilson Administration.

Date

2015

Document Availability at the Time of Submission

Release the entire work immediately for access worldwide.

Committee Chair

Hamilton, John Maxwell

DOI

10.31390/gradschool_theses.92

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