Author Archives: Thomas

U.S. Global Media Agency to Lay Off Hundreds at VOA, RFA, and RFE/RL

View of the Capitol Building from the roof of the Voice of America on 330 Independence Ave., S.W.

The Guardian is reporting that more than 500 full-time employees at Voice of America and other U.S. government-funded broadcasters will soon be laid off. The U.S. Agency for Global Media announced that 532 federal positions are being cut, part of a larger restructuring effort that’s already stirred up legal challenges and concerns about leadership changes at VOA.

These broadcasters—including Voice of America, Radio Free Asia, and Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty—collectively reach over 400 million people worldwide. Employee groups and unions are warning that the cuts could undermine U.S. public diplomacy and even pose risks to national security. It’s a significant shake-up for organizations that have long played a role in bringing independent news to international audiences.

Read and comment on the full article in The Guardian.

Voice of Nigeria Shortwave Restoration Project Underway

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Many thanks to SWLing Post contributors David Iurescia and Richard Cuff for sharing the following article from the Voice of Nigeria which reports that the Nigerian government has officially begun restoring shortwave transmission for the Voice of Nigeria (VON).

The project focuses on bringing the 250 kW TX2 transmitter at the Lugbe station in Abuja back online after years of inactivity. Officials highlighted that this effort will strengthen Nigeria’s international broadcasting presence and amplify the country’s voice throughout Africa and beyond. The restoration underscores the government’s recognition of shortwave as an enduringly important platform in today’s evolving media landscape.

Click here to read the full press release.

Carlos’ Illustrated Radio Listening Reports and Recordings of Voice of Vietnam (August 25-26, 2025)

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Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor and noted political cartoonist, Carlos Latuff, who shares the following illustrated radio listening report of recent Voice of Vietnam broadcasts.

Voice of Vietnam, 9730 kHz, August 25, 2025

Click here to view on YouTube.

Voice of Vietnam, 11885 kHz, August 26, 2025

Click here to view on YouTube.

Japan Meteorological Agency Radiofax (August 24, 2025)

Alan Roe’s A-25 Season Guide to Music on Shortwave (version 4.0)

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Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Alan Roe, who shares his A-25 (version 4.0) season guide to music on shortwave. Alan provides this amazing resource as a free PDF download:

Click here to download Music on Shortwave A-25 v4.0 (PDF)

As always, thank you for sharing your excellent guide, Alan!

This dedicated page will always have the latest version of Alan’s guide available for download.

Carlos’ Illustrated Radio Listening Report and Recording of CGTN (August 27, 2025)

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Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor and noted political cartoonist, Carlos Latuff, who shares the following illustrated radio listening report of a recent CGTN broadcast.

Carlos notes:

Tokyo marks record 10 consecutive days of 35°C or higher, CGTN Radio, 11770 kHz

Click here to view on YouTube.

September 2025 Schedule Updates: From the Isle of Music & Uncle Bill’s Melting Pot

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Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Bill Tilford, who shares the following update:

From the Isle of Music, September 2025
September’s program will be the fourth of several episodes featuring the best of Cubadisco 2025, Cuba’s most important discographic awards. This is the best of the best of Cuba’s new releases (and recordings from Cubans elsewhere) and will feature the Música Bailable (Dance Music) category this month.
Friday, September 12:
6070 kHz at 1700 UTC
3955 kHz at 2100 UTC
Sunday, September 14:
9670 kHz at 1700 UTC using booster beam H to Africa (repeat of September 12 episode).

Uncle Bill’s Melting Pot, September 2025
In September we will present jazz from Russia and Ukraine featuring musicians who are still in each country.
Friday, September 19:
6070 kHz at 1700 UTC
3955 at 2100 UTC
Sunday, September 21:
9670 kHz at 1700 UTC using beam H to Africa (repeat of September 19 episode).

*As an experiment, we are turning the booster beam for 9670 kHz towards Africa. We have never done that before and can’t predict the results.
**In addition to direct radio reception, we do honor reception reports using remote SDRs as long as the whole program is described and which SDR is specified.

On the Media explores the power of shortwave radio and press freedom

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor Amy Barry for sharing this tip.

WNYC’s On the Media recently aired an episode titled The Power of Shortwave Radio—and What Gets Lost with Voice of America? Reporter Katie Thornton explores shortwave’s historic role in connecting the world, its continuing importance where the internet cannot reach, and the implications of VOA’s decline.

In the second half of the program, host Micah Loewinger sits down with Alsu Kurmasheva of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty to discuss the network’s role in countries lacking a free press and her own nine-month detention in Russia. Bay Fang, president of Radio Free Asia, also weighs in on why the shutdown of RFA will further diminish press freedom in Asia.

Click here to listen on WNYC’s site.