Edward R. Murrow Transmitting Station in North Carolina
Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor Dennis Dura who shares this post from Kim Andrew Elliott regarding the importance of continued congressional funding for the Voice of America (VOA). He argues that U.S. international broadcasting is still a vital form of soft power—delivering credible news where press freedom is limited—and warns that cutting funding would weaken a key source of trusted global journalism when it’s needed most.
VOA has been for me a benchmark for news and entertainement. Since i was a teen i listened to hear the news from America and i listen to the “jazz hour” which was so different to what i was hearing at home. It built my dream of the american way of life, the amercian democracy, freedom of thought and remebered me the wonderful world of your constitution “life liberty and the pursuit of happiness”
We miss VOA on the SW spectrum as it is currently monopolized practialy by China. I do not live in a dictatorship but still i miss this wind coming from the west.
Why should I pay for propaganda? If you want it, you pay for it. No need for my money to go to garbage news. My money supports too much garbage already! By all means donate all you want to them. Just do not use my money! By the way, congress gets their money from us too!
The problem is, VOA was not “independent” no more than NPR or Wikipedia.
I wish they were truly independent.
When I grew up in the 60’s it was the Soviets who broadcast propaganda. Now it is our own news services.
Very sad.
Well said!!
I agree with “Cousin” Kim. Shortwave can get through often when other media cannot.
To rely on the internet and local broadcasting is short-sighted.
Cheers, Jock