256:, the U.S. military commander there. "Zorthian remained proud of his most controversial achievement ... Follies.... he briefings lasted a decade, the only regular forum in which U.S. and South Vietnamese officials spoke entirely on the record and were often challenged or contradicted by reporters, sometimes to their embarrassment ... n the first U.S. war without formal
214:
One obituary described his job in Saigon as trying to "defuse an increasingly acrimonious relationship between
American officials and news correspondents covering the war used a mixture of charm, sly wit and uncommonly straight talk in trying to establish credibility for the U.S. effort.... e refused
288:
asserting that the
Vietnam War had been 'the most open war in history.' He said that almost all the important disclosures in the documents had already been known to journalists. In a letter to the editor in response, Elliot Bernstein, the ABC News Saigon bureau chief in the mid-1960s, countered that
63:, the child of Armenian parents. "His father, a writer, was imprisoned in Turkey but escaped. His mother, refusing to divulge her husband's whereabouts, was herself sent to jail, along with their son. eventually migrated to New Haven, Connecticut, the father working in a dry cleaners. Barry went to
114:
as one of VOA's first overseas correspondents. Later, he was a co-author of the VOA Charter, which persists to this day, and served as program director. In the last role, he launched several programming initiatives which were still on the air more than a half century later. Also at VOA, in response
236:
in
Vietnam and later a CNN foreign correspondent. ... Arnett recalled that when he complained about an American military policeman threatening to shoot him during a 1965 Buddhist street demonstration in Saigon, `Zorthian shook his head in mock concern, and said `D--- it, Peter, you threatened him
119:, Zorthian helped develop a Special English broadcasting capacity with slower word rate and limited vocabulary for non-English speakers. It was launched in 1959 and proved successful, according to a 2012 VOA review. After 13 years at VOA, Zorthian became a diplomat in India.
227:
and CBS reporter
Bernard Kalb. 'Even when he told you nothing, he was always persuasive.' 'In postwar years, Barry Zorthian remained steadfast to his conviction about the significant role the media must play in a democratic society,' said
147:, declared him 'a determined and brilliant liar' at a 1981 conference on the Vietnam War. Despite the criticism, many still trusted him as an honest public official. 'He had a conscience. He believed in informing the American public,'
888:
330:
Foundation (predecessor of the Public
Diplomacy Council) and served four years in that role before occupying a seat on the council's board much of the last decade. He testified in August 2010, before the recently reformed
675:
900:
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and he was just responding.' 'What?' I replied. 'Yes,' Barry said, `you were aiming your pencil at him and that's more dangerous around here than a .45.'"
892:
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after Murrow retired. Other journalists he faced were members "of a tough school in
American journalism covering the war" including Richard Pyle,
963:
896:
136:
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361:, who had begun his diplomatic career in Vietnam and would die soon after the gathering. Zorthian died December 30, 2010. He was buried at
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475:
397:
184:
455:
223:.... 'Barry's door was always open and although he never shared a classified thought, he left you feeling that he had,' said former
290:
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to be intimidated by either officials or the news media. 'He talked back,' said George McArthur, who covered the
Vietnam war for
865:
768:
978:
312:
953:
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with two officials outside, photograph; all April 25, 1967 except
February 1965 on last; all but first credited to
868:, interview by Cliff Groce, Library of Congress, October 22, 1988. Starts with VOA time. Available as pdf download.
168:
600:, interview of Bob Doughty in VOA Special English by Faith Lapidus, 2012-05-06, VOA webpage. Retrieved 2012-07-03.
943:
889:"Ambassador Ellsworth Bunker arrival in Saigon; Top U.S. officials: Barry Zorthian, Jack Steward, Porter Calhoun"
332:
308:
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Zorthian was an executive at Time Inc. and a lobbyist on communications issues after he left Saigon in 1968.
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The
Zorthians were survived by two sons, Greg and Steve, a daughter-in-law and two grandchildren.
791:, 2009 Smith-Mundt Symposium, January 13, 2009. Transcript misdated "2008." Retrieved 2011-06-30.
253:
89:
472:
878:"Head of USIA's Joint US Public Affairs Office Barry Zorthian (C) in his office with staff",
487:
241:
127:
Zorthian was best known for his four years as chief spokesperson for the U. S. government in
851:; other videotape availability unclear; no digitized availability located thus far anywhere.
811:
in "Vietnam reconsidered: lessons from a war" symposium; 120-m. videocassette of panel with
394:
933:
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8:
728:
724:
240:
Zorthian was press media advisor to three successive U.S. ambassadors to South
Vietnam —
107:
765:
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from 1964-68. "His daily afternoon briefings for press correspondents ... were dubbed
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In October 2010, Zorthian was given a 90th birthday 'roast and toast' which included
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591:"Henry Loomis, 1919-2008: Director of VOA Had the Idea to Create Special English"
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correspondents"; Saigon, Vietnam; 1964; photographer John Loengard. Photo also
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The press briefings convened in the conference room and rooftop garden of the
922:
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440:"Barry Zorthian dies at 90; U.S. diplomat and press spokesman in Vietnam War"
188:
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says "U.S.I.S. official Barry Zorthian participating in panel discussion w.
908:
717:"Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Inc.: A Register of its corporate records
506:
451:
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Zorthian's wife of 62 years, Margaret Aylaian Zorthian, died in July 2010.
342:. At that time he participated in a panel discussion on the history of the
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bases in Thailand were being used to conduct air raids on North Vietnam
257:
111:
56:
715:
Cosavanu, Laura, Polina Ilieva, Blanka Pasternak and Anatol Shmelev,
634:
415:
264:
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779:/2009 Smith-Mundt Symposium, January 13, 2009. Retrieved 2011-06-30.
901:"U.S. Information Agency Director Barry Zorthian (on left); Saigon"
323:
lost" about coverage of the later overseas US military engagement.
316:
163:. 'His problem was that he was trying to sell a bad war.'" He was "
731:; p. 31. BIB members, incl. BZorthian, and RFE/RL management list.
139:
by reporters frustrated by the lack of complete transparency. ...
67:, where he edited the student newspaper and joined the secretive
581:, memorial, Public Diplomacy Council, nd. Retrieved 2011-03-06.
128:
60:
856:"Holding the Line at Credibility Gap" (contents-listing only)
346:
and the relationship between public diplomacy and the media.
307:
From 1990 to 1994, he was a member of the oversight body for
897:"Bunker with Zorthian; Saigon" as Bunker speaks to reporters
693:"Barry Zorthian, public diplomacy legend, passes away at 90"
845:
listed here in the "War Culture and Propaganda" collection
682:, June 30, 1971 (paid archive only). Retrieved 2011-02-01.
311:, the Board for International Broadcasting. Speaking in a
99:
289:
the press had been kept in the dark about the extent of
88:
in the Pacific during World War II. After working for a
338:
In 2009, Zorthian was a communications consultant with
542:"Barry Zorthian, U.S. Diplomat in Vietnam, Dies at 90"
454:. Retrieved 2011-03-07. Writer of story identified in
974:
United States Marine Corps personnel of World War II
756:
Vol. 1, February 2012, pp 2-3. Retrieved 2012-03-21.
746:(New York: Routledge, 2006). ... Karatzogianni, ed.
211:-- "several of made their reputations in Vietnam."
79:
648:
Cleartime Online, 2008-07-01. Retrieved 2011-02-22.
22:(1920–2010) was an American diplomat, most notably
635:"AP correspondent who covered Eichmann trial dies"
511:"US spokesman who fronted Saigon's theatre of war"
727:, 2002; via Institute of Communications Studies,
183:, to sign off on it." He oversaw the 500-person
920:
706:, January 4, 2011 8:33 AM. Retrieved 2011-06-30.
232:, a Pulitzer Prize-winning war reporter for the
843:; "The Quality of reporting: to Tet" (tape) is
754:Journal of Religion, Media and Digital Culture
326:In the late 1990s, he became president of the
823:, and Zorthian covers reporting of war up to
807:, fourth of 14 panels held February 1983, at
315:forum on March 19, 1991, Zorthian said, "The
110:, attended at night." In 1948 he covered the
418:dated January 1, 1964. Retrieved 2011-03-07.
393:, January 5, 2011 15:50 AMT 11:50 GMT. With
293:beginning in 1964, as well as the fact that
167:'s last recommendation before retiring from
659:"Famous hotels: Soft beds and hard battles"
171:, so sensitive that it required President
122:
47:
482:, conducted by Richard B. Verrone, Ph.D.,
450:, January 2, 2011. W/1986 photo of BZ and
175:and the secretaries of state and defence,
893:"Barry Zorthian and Jack Steward; Saigon"
665:, 30 November 2011, Retrieved 2011-12-01.
624:, January 10, 2011. Retrieved 2011-02-01.
517:, January 15, 2011. Retrieved 2011-02-01.
185:Joint United States Public Affairs Office
939:New York University School of Law alumni
611:"American Diplomat Barry Zorthian dies"
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964:United States Marine Corps reservists
907:; for all, copyright Healey Library,
839:book by Salisbury at libraries; book
676:"It Was and Is the Most Open of Wars"
827:, 1968; with introduction/epilog by
559:
520:
463:
421:
335:on public diplomacy and VOA issues.
284:, Zorthian wrote an Op-Ed column in
969:United States Marine Corps officers
949:American people of Armenian descent
885:photo w/caption, September 1, 1966.
540:Martin, Douglas (January 5, 2011).
493:
106:(VOA). He earned a law degree from
13:
959:American people of the Vietnam War
805:"The Quality of reporting: to Tet"
748:Cyber Conflict and Global Politics
278:After the 1971 publication of the
14:
990:
798:
80:Military service and early career
55:was born on October 8, 1920, in
44:, media executive and lobbyist.
866:"Interview with Barry Zorthian"
782:
759:
742:"Review: Athina Karatzogianni,
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709:
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333:Broadcasting Board of Governors
309:Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty
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603:
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1:
744:The Politics of Cyberconflict
490:, 2006. Retrieved 2011-02-01.
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159:reporter in Saigon, told the
155:-winning author and a former
750:(New York: Routledge, 2009)"
115:to a proposal from director
7:
572:"Barry Zorthian, 1920-2010"
385:"Barry Zorthian dies at 90"
363:Arlington National Cemetery
349:
10:
995:
979:Members of Skull and Bones
300:Zorthian retired from the
954:American media executives
872:
84:Zorthian served with the
74:
809:USC School of Journalism
789:History panel transcript
291:American bombing of Laos
123:Service in South Vietnam
48:Early life and education
835:link locates copies of
459:publication of AP text.
254:William C. Westmoreland
197:R.W. 'Johnny' Apple Jr.
944:Yale University alumni
304:as a Colonel in 1973.
137:"Five O'Clock Follies"
90:St. Johnsbury, Vermont
488:Texas Tech University
400:July 7, 2011, at the
242:Henry Cabot Lodge Jr.
862:magazine, June 2011.
837:Vietnam reconsidered
815:(moderator), Safer,
302:Marine Corps Reserve
271:Career after Vietnam
217:The Associated Press
729:University of Leeds
725:Stanford University
484:The Vietnam Archive
313:National Press Club
108:New York University
102:Radio and then the
913:openvault.wgbh.org
899:, photograph; and
849:Rutgers University
829:Harrison Salisbury
771:2011-06-12 at the
766:Barry Zorthian bio
721:Hoover Institution
698:2011-10-05 at the
680:The New York Times
640:2011-05-16 at the
616:2012-09-24 at the
596:2012-07-10 at the
577:2011-07-23 at the
546:The New York Times
478:2010-03-27 at the
813:Phillip Knightley
777:mountainrunner.us
704:mountainrunner.us
691:Armstrong, Matt,
674:Zorthian, Barry,
657:Brown, Jonathan,
609:Mansoor, Zeenat,
448:Los Angeles Times
359:Richard Holbrooke
246:Maxwell D. Taylor
221:Los Angeles Times
95:Caledonian Record
40:years during the
16:American diplomat
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633:Syeed, Nafeesa,
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444:Associated Press
436:
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406:picturechina.com
382:
328:Public Diplomacy
250:Ellsworth Bunker
193:David Halberstam
104:Voice of America
53:Baryoor Zorthian
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663:The Independent
656:
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642:Wayback Machine
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618:Wayback Machine
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579:Wayback Machine
569:
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515:Financial Times
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480:Wayback Machine
471:
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438:Pyle, Richard,
437:
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402:Wayback Machine
390:PanARMENIAN.Net
383:
379:
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344:Smith-Mundt Act
340:Alcalde and Fay
281:Pentagon Papers
273:
181:Robert McNamara
161:Washington Post
143:Correspondent,
125:
92:newspaper, the
82:
77:
69:Skull and Bones
65:Yale University
50:
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905:François Sully
895:, photograph;
891:, photograph;
886:
874:
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869:
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852:
841:also at Amazon
800:
799:External links
797:
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740:Fofiu, Adela,
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252:— and to Gen.
225:New York Times
209:Stanley Karnow
173:Lyndon Johnson
157:New York Times
153:Pulitzer prize
145:Gloria Emerson
141:New York Times
124:
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20:Barry Zorthian
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817:Robert Scheer
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854:North, Don,
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570:Heil, Alan,
549:. Retrieved
545:
514:
473:Oral history
457:newsvine.com
456:
452:Morley Safer
447:
443:
409:
405:
388:
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367:
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319:is over and
306:
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285:
279:
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262:
239:
233:
230:Peter Arnett
224:
220:
216:
213:
205:Bernard Kalb
201:Peter Arnett
160:
156:
149:Neil Sheehan
140:
126:
117:Henry Loomis
98:, he joined
93:
83:
52:
51:
19:
18:
934:2010 deaths
929:1920 births
723:archives",
551:February 1,
42:Vietnam War
923:Categories
372:References
258:censorship
112:Korean War
71:society."
321:the press
286:The Times
265:Rex Hotel
177:Dean Rusk
883:magazine
769:Archived
696:Archived
638:Archived
614:Archived
594:Archived
575:Archived
476:Archived
398:Archived
350:Personal
317:Gulf War
219:and the
860:Vietnam
719:in the
86:Marines
57:Kütahya
35:⁄
911:; via
873:Images
187:under
165:Murrow
129:Saigon
75:Career
61:Turkey
395:photo
881:Life
553:2011
416:here
411:Life
248:and
207:and
179:and
169:USIA
151:, a
26:for
847:at
486:at
446:in
297:."
260:."
100:CBS
925::
858:,
831:;
819:,
775:,
752:,
702:,
678:,
661:,
646:AP
644:,
620:,
561:^
544:.
522:^
513:,
509:,
495:^
465:^
442:,
423:^
387:,
365:.
267:.
244:,
234:AP
203:,
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