Radio: Ears for The Voice

Even with the Voice of America going full blast, how could the U.S. be sure that anyone was listening? Interviewed last week on Meet the Press (Sun., NBCTV, 5 p.m. E.D.T.), RCA Board Chairman David Sarnoff suggested that the U.S. build 50 million $2 radio sets and give them away behind the Iron Curtain.

Each miniature set, Sarnoff said, could be equipped specifically to pick up Voice of America broadcasts. The whole project would cost about $100 million; in return the Voice of America would get a potential audience of 250 million. Facing the TV cameras, Sarnoff cautiously added: “There are a number of ways to get them into the satellite nations, and even into Russia, but I think perhaps I should not discuss those ways in an open forum.”