Peoples Temple Collection; Box 6, Virtual item 20, Q16- Shortwave broadcasts

Digital Record

Identifier: ms-0183_06.20

Staff Only

Digital Object (mixed_materials)

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Dates

Digitized: May 1978

Creator

Peoples Temple (Organization)

Summary Note

In connection with the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s investigation into the assassination of U.S. Congressman LEO J. RYAN at Port Kaituma, Guyana, South America, on November 18, 1978, a tape recording was obtained. This tape recording of radio transmissions on amateur radio frequencies was furnished to the FBI by (name deleted). (A marginal note indicates the words were deleted under Freedom of Information Act exemption b7d, "investigatory records compiled for law enforcement purposes … [and which] disclose the identity of a confidential source…"). On March 6, 1979, Special Agent (name deleted) reviewed the tape numbered 1B46 #20. This tape was found to contain the following: This tape consists of ham radio traffic going back and forth between Jonestown and Peoples Temple members in other locations, probably in San Francisco. There is much distortion in the tape, due to edits made by the recorder, the competing radio voices, and the fact that it was apparently recorded off the air by a third person who rarely speaks and who never identifies himself. The FBI summary includes a marginal note that the tape was supplied to the agency by an unnamed source, whom the FBI describes as "confidential." The only clear voice, then, is probably that of the unnamed confidential source. Full summary of the recording available at Alternative Considerations of Jonestown website, along with the tape transcript.

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