ProPublica says the Voice of America plans to eliminate seven radio language services this year, reflecting the Bush administration’s emphasis on outreach to the Muslim world. Among the cuts are the [shortwave] radio and TV broadcasts of the Russian service, along with radio broadcasts in Ukrainian, Serbian, Hindi, Macedonian, Bosnian and Georgian.
Tish King, a spokeswoman for Voice of America, is quoted as saying that the language services cuts are the result of “painful decisions” that reflect a focus on “places where, based on research, we can be most effective.”
The administration has been seeking cuts to various language services for years, only to be rebuffed by Congress. In 2006, the administration’s proposed budget for the Broadcasting Board of Governors (the agency that oversees Alhurra and VOA) included reductions or eliminations in “non-war on terror related language services.” When the 2007 budget proposed reductions to even more services, Congress stepped in and provided funding to prevent it.
This time around, however, King said Congress is on board with the cuts, which will be effective in September. Given that VOA’s shortwave radio service in Russian has such a small audience - just two percent - she said broadcasting by Internet was the best option for VOA.
Tim Shamble, president of the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 1812, the union representing VOA employees, said that eliminating the shortwave broadcasts was precisely the wrong move, since they reach the country with little danger of being blocked. Internet broadcasts are far more vulnerable, he said.
on Jul 11th, 2008 at 11:04
This late in the Bush Reign, any money saved will be applied to the wars in Iraq & Afghanistan. Thinking men and women will not be fooled. Shamble is correct.
on Jul 12th, 2008 at 13:31
Bush must rethink. Terribly he is loosing the money on War.
on Jul 12th, 2008 at 13:34
Howard of Australia did the same thing.We in south Asia could not access to Radio Australia on short wave.
on Sep 13th, 2008 at 14:36
The simple truth is that the USA simply does not have any foreign policy goals to sway majority Indian population. Urdu service which remains intact can still be accessed by Hindi and Hindustani speaking people who widely understand Urdu language.
The focus of VOA is clearly on Islamic populations. Also note that many Eastern European language services, including Ukrainian are about to go.
American pop culture etc. are already sought after in these regions. Even without VOA shortwave services, American Pop music, media, TV and Hollywood consumption will remain very high in these regions.