[Marxism] VOA and RFA Increase Broadcasts to Tibet

[Saul Thomas <stthomas@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

http://www.rfa.org/english/about/press/2008/03/18/broadcasts_to_tibet/

VOA and RFA Increase Broadcasts to Tibet
2008.03.18

Washington, D.C. March 17, 2008 - U.S. international radio broadcasts to 
Tibet will increase by four hours daily beginning tonight at 6:00 p.m. 
EDT, 6:00 a.m. local time in Lhasa.

"The violent crackdown by Chinese authorities in Tibet compels us to 
increase our broadcasts," said James K. Glassman, Chairman of the BBG 
[Broadcasting Board of Governors], which oversees all non-military U.S. 
international broadcasting including the Voice of America (VOA) and 
Radio Free Asia (RFA). "Our audience clearly will benefit from these 
trustworthy sources of news and information, which differ sharply from 
Chinese government sanctioned broadcasts." At present RFA broadcasts 
eight hours daily to Tibet via shortwave radio. VOA broadcasts four 
hours daily, also via shortwave. Each will expand radio programs by two 
additional hours daily. VOA also will double its weekly Tibetan-language 
television programming from one to two hours via the AsiaSat 3 satellite.

"RFA's Tibetan service is working around the clock to bring 
authoritative, breaking news to the Tibetan people. These additional 
hours will greatly enhance our capacity to deliver this news, including 
live updates, to people on the ground," RFA President Libby Liu said.

Tibet's media is tightly controlled and most Tibetans are deeply 
suspicious of Chinese domestic media coverage. BBG audience research, 
while limited to Tibetan refugees in Nepal, indicates that VOA and RFA 
are among the most well known foreign broadcasters and an important 
source of information in a society where word of mouth is the top way to 
share news.

"We know from experience that Tibetans will tune to VOA at pivotal times 
such as these," said Danforth Austin, Director of the Voice of America. 
"For example, a VOA special TV program about the Dalai Lama receiving a 
gold medal from the U.S. Congress was recorded and widely distributed in 
Tibetan regions inside China."

The Broadcasting Board of Governors is an independent federal agency 
which supervises all U.S. government-supported, non-military 
international broadcasting, including the Voice of America (VOA); Radio 
Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL); the Middle East Broadcasting 
Networks (Alhurra TV and Radio Sawa); Radio Free Asia (RFA); and the 
Office of Cuba Broadcasting (Radio and TV MartÃ). Through its broadcast 
services, the BBG provides the United States and its leaders direct and 
immediate access to a worldwide audience of 155 million people. Current 
governors are Chairman James K. Glassman, Joaquin F. Blaya, Blanquita W. 
Cullum, D. Jeffrey Hirschberg, Edward E. Kaufman, and Steven J. Simmons. 
Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is an ex officio member.

For further information, please contact the Office of Public Affairs at 
(202)203-4959.

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