OCR Text |
Show Army Press and Radio Must Maintain Political Neutrality The war department, in instruc-ions instruc-ions sent to all commanders both a the United States and overseas, ias prescribed a policy of strict im-iartiality im-iartiality in the dissemination of olitical information. Title V of the ew federal voting law, which is n amendment to the Hatch act, lohibits use of federal funds or ponsorship to influence the armed jrtes in voting in federal elections. Instructions to commanders in ob servance of this law state: "The burden is on the army to see that the information and entertainment which it furnishes .o the soldiers is either (1) nonpolitical or (2) if political, is justified by presentation in strict accordance with the allowed al-lowed exceptions. "It is not the purpose of Title V to shut off information and entertainment enter-tainment from the armed forces. Its purpose is to see to it that no In formation or entertainment which ii federally financed or sponsored and which might have the political character, will be disseminated to soldiers except in conformity with the statutory provisions designed to prevent unfairness or partiality lr any such dissemination." The law permits rebroadcasts oi political speeches over government controlled stations provided equal time is given each party |