WSB - The Voice of America

How radio was used to support the U.S campaign during the Cuba Missile Crisis.

By Jessica Newberry

The Cuba Missile Crisis is undoubtedly one of the most memorable events of the Cold War. It represented 13 days of high tensions between the U.S and Cuba between the 14^th and 27^th October 1962, which saw the closest the world has ever come to World War Three.

Photo of Cuba missile bases from U-2 Plane.

The Crisis began after specialist American spy planes – U-2 planes – flew over Cuba and came back with clear photographs of missile sites in Cuba. This was evidence that the Cuban government had accepted a Soviet proposal to establish a base for SS-5 and SS-6 missiles in Cuba. These were highly powerful missiles, with a range of 1000 – 2500 miles. The imposition of missiles in Cuba did not impose a new dimension to the politics of the world theatre, as Russian ICBM’s could already reach America – instead it was thought that a Cuban missile base would alter the psychological point of view for America, as this would leave nuclear power in hostile hands, if Castro had access to nuclear arms. President Kennedy pursued a naval blockade to prevent further weapons reaching the country.

While radio networks began to decline in the 1960’s, they were a very useful tool for transmitting long distance messages. It is for that reason, that the JFK administration used radio broadcasting channels to air messages to Cuba during the crisis.

WSB 1960's logo.

WSB was employed by the United States Government to turn their networking facilities in to propaganda broadcasts. They were commissioned to be the Voice of America for the duration of the crisis, transmitting broadcasts to Cuba daily from the 22^nd October – after JFK revealed to the American public that they were under threat . The decision was made to use VOA broadcasts as a part of U.S foreign policy to fight the propaganda of the Soviet Union and other Communist countries. Propaganda broadcasts would feature an 11 hour nightly segment, voiced in Spanish so that it was translatable to the listeners in Cuba. Broadcasts would include civil defence alerts, information on how to prepare for an emergency evacuation, locations of emergency shelters and informed listeners that U.S troops were being deployed to Cuba. The Voice of America was intended to increase Cuban support for America during the crisis, by weakening Communist propaganda and promoting the idea that Cuba could rely on America during the Cold War. 

JFK presenting WSB Radio with award.

Following their contribution to U.S Government, WSB received a telegram of thanks for their broadcasting services during the crisis, which publicly paid attention to the positive effect the VOA propaganda had.

WSB’s slogan at the time read ‘depend on it,’ which is exactly what the JFK administration did when trying to encourage Cuban support for America. It is important to understand the broadcasting from WSB played a huge role in the world theatre, demonstrating to Cuba that America was a valuable ally for its citizens – all presented by the Voice of America.