{"id":9696,"date":"2014-05-21T15:35:12","date_gmt":"2014-05-21T19:35:12","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/?p=9696"},"modified":"2014-07-03T10:35:54","modified_gmt":"2014-07-03T14:35:54","slug":"change-to-voas-mission-drawing-intense-debate","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2014\/05\/change-to-voas-mission-drawing-intense-debate\/","title":{"rendered":"Change to VOA\u2019s mission draws “intense debate”"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"View<\/a>

View of the Capitol Building from the roof of the Voice of America (330 Independence Ave., S.W.)<\/p><\/div>\n

Many thanks to Dan Robinson for pointing out this article by Ron Nixon in the <\/a>New York Times<\/a>. \u00a0<\/em>Here’s a clip:<\/p>\n

“A bill to overhaul Voice of America has prompted an intense debate among supporters of the legislation who say it will better enable the broadcast news service to counter Russian disinformation and opponents who say it will turn the service into an American propaganda tool.<\/p>\n

The legislation, which recently passed the House Foreign Affairs Committee with bipartisan support, would make changes to the mission of the government-financed Voice of America that its sponsors say would more clearly define its role in support of the United States. Specifically, the bill revises the language of Voice of America\u2019s mission to explicitly state that the outlet has a role in supporting American \u201cpublic diplomacy\u201d and the policies of the government.<\/p>\n

The full House is expected to take up the bill as early as this summer. The Senate is working on a similar bill.<\/p>\n

Representative Ed Royce, the California Republican who is chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee, said the legislation was essential in the face of negative and inaccurate information increasingly disseminated about the United States abroad. \u201cWhile countries like Russia have been working 24\/7 on their information campaigns, V.O.A. has abandoned its mission to effectively promote the policies of the U.S. even though its charter is clear in this regard,\u201d Mr. Royce said.<\/p>\n

But the bill, the latest in a decades-old debate in foreign policy circles about the role of Voice of America, has prompted a backlash from journalists, many of whom work at the news service once run by Edward R. Murrow and who pride themselves on the organization\u2019s independence.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe only thing V.O.A. has left is its reputation, built over decades, as a credible news organization,\u201d said one veteran journalist at the service who asked not to be identified criticizing the legislation. \u201cChanging our focus from straight news to policy promotion will undercut any efforts to keep or build our audience.\u201d<\/p>\n

[Continue reading at the NY Times website…<\/a>]<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

You’ll also want to read the comments in this article<\/a>.<\/p>\n

It is a conundrum: will this legislation save the VOA from budget cuts, or will it rob the broadcaster of credibility and objectivity?<\/p>\n

VOA reporters I know have always taken comfort in the firewall that was created by\u00a0the VOA Charter<\/em> in 1960, then later signed into law on July 12, 1976, by President Gerald Ford. The charter reads:<\/p>\n

The long-range interests of the United States are served by communicating directly with the peoples of the world by radio. To be effective, the Voice of America must win the attention and respect of listeners. These principles will therefore govern Voice of America (VOA) broadcasts:<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

    \n
  1. \n

    VOA will serve as a consistently reliable and authoritative source of news. VOA news will be accurate, objective, and comprehensive.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/li>\n

  2. \n

    VOA will represent America, not any single segment of American society, and will therefore present a balanced and comprehensive projection of significant American thought and institutions.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/li>\n

  3. \n

    VOA will present the policies of the United States clearly and effectively, and will also present responsible discussions and opinion on these policies. (Public Law 94-350)<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Many would argue that it’s impossible for a taxpayer-supported\u00a0broadcaster\u00a0to “present the policies of the United States” without being somewhat biased. Still, in the past, I’ve heard a number of reports from the VOA that are critical of life here\u00a0in the US; reports I’ve never heard the likes of from, for example, the Voice of Russia<\/em> or China Radio International<\/em>.<\/p>\n

    If HR 4490 becomes law, perhaps<\/span>\u00a0the proof–VOA’s integrity–will be in the pudding. This is certainly a complex and multi-faceted issue. Regardless: we will be listening.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    Many thanks to Dan Robinson for pointing out this article by Ron Nixon in the New York Times. \u00a0Here’s a clip: “A bill to overhaul Voice of America has prompted an intense debate among supporters of the legislation who say it will better enable the broadcast news service to counter Russian disinformation and opponents who […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":15,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[56,81,960,3,1850],"tags":[406,936,2635,3081,2914,3082,371,10,182],"class_list":["post-9696","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-broadcasters","category-current-events","category-international-broadcasting","category-news","category-propaganda","tag-bbg","tag-broadcasting-board-of-governors","tag-dan-robinson","tag-h-r-4490","tag-hr-4490","tag-hr4490","tag-ny-times","tag-voa","tag-voice-of-america"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/pn3uc-2wo","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":10094,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2014\/06\/amendment-to-h-r-4490-protects-critical-shortwave-services\/","url_meta":{"origin":9696,"position":0},"title":"Amendment to H.R. 4490 protects “critical” shortwave services","author":"Thomas","date":"June 28, 2014","format":false,"excerpt":"In response to yesterday's\u00a0post\u00a0regarding sweeping cuts to VOA's shortwave service, an\u00a0SWLing Post reader (who wishes to remain anonymous) writes: \"HR4490 contains the following amendment attached to the bill by Cong Lowenthal of CA. Cong Lowenthal has the largest Cambodian community in the US in his constituency as well as Vietnamese.\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Broadcasters"","block_context":{"text":"Broadcasters","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/broadcasters\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"View of the Capitol Building from the roof of the Voice of America on 330 Independence Ave., S.W.","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/09\/K3VOA12-1024x682.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/09\/K3VOA12-1024x682.jpg?resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/09\/K3VOA12-1024x682.jpg?resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":10387,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2014\/07\/us-house-passes-h-r-4490\/","url_meta":{"origin":9696,"position":1},"title":"US House passes H.R. 4490","author":"Thomas","date":"July 28, 2014","format":false,"excerpt":"The\u00a0United States International Communications Reform Act of 2014 (H.R. 4490)\u00a0has just passed the the House today, next it will go before the US Senate. This bill proposes major changes to the overall structure of US international broadcasting. Click here to read previous posts about the bill\u00a0and read the press release\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Broadcasters"","block_context":{"text":"Broadcasters","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/broadcasters\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"View of the Capitol Building from the roof of the Voice of America on 330 Independence Ave., S.W.","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/09\/K3VOA12-1024x682.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/09\/K3VOA12-1024x682.jpg?resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/09\/K3VOA12-1024x682.jpg?resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":10389,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2014\/07\/bbg-watch-voa-coverage-of-h-r-4490-lacks-balance\/","url_meta":{"origin":9696,"position":2},"title":"BBG Watch: VOA coverage of H.R.4490 “lacks balance”","author":"Thomas","date":"July 29, 2014","format":false,"excerpt":"(Source: BBG Watch) \"It took Voice of America a few hours to post a report, which includes quotes by two outside opponents of the bill: former VOA deputy director Alan Heil and Reporters Without Borders Secretary-General Christophe Deloire, but has no quotes from any outside supporters of the bill, including\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Broadcasters"","block_context":{"text":"Broadcasters","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/broadcasters\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"VOA-Screen-Shot-2014-07-28-at-9.53PM-EDT","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/07\/VOA-Screen-Shot-2014-07-28-at-9.53PM-EDT.png?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":10156,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2014\/07\/ny-times-journalists-at-odds-with-union-over-voas-role\/","url_meta":{"origin":9696,"position":3},"title":"NY Times: Journalists “at Odds With Union” over VOA’s role","author":"Thomas","date":"July 3, 2014","format":false,"excerpt":"The\u00a0New York Times, in a \u00a0recent article, describes\u00a0a growing\u00a0split between the VOA Union (American Federation of Government Employees Local 1812) and VOA journalists over the proposed changes to the VOA mission (via H.R. 4490), which would make it an active voice of American policy. (Many thanks to SWLing Post reader,\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Broadcasters"","block_context":{"text":"Broadcasters","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/broadcasters\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"nytLogo","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/07\/nytLogo.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":9422,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2014\/04\/draft-bill-outlines-major-changes-to-bbg-and-us-international-broadcasting\/","url_meta":{"origin":9696,"position":4},"title":"Draft bill outlines major changes to BBG and US International Broadcasting","author":"Thomas","date":"April 28, 2014","format":false,"excerpt":"Many thanks to Dan Robinson who shares this post on the BBG Watch which outlines major changes to US International Broadcasting. The draft bill, originating in the House Foreign Affairs Committee, is known as the United States International Communications Reform Act of 2014. The bill outlines: \"the creation of the\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Broadcasters"","block_context":{"text":"Broadcasters","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/broadcasters\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"BBG-Logo","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/06\/BBG-Logo-300x207.png?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":9934,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2014\/06\/washington-post-voa-needs-to-keep-an-objective-voice\/","url_meta":{"origin":9696,"position":5},"title":"Washington Post: VOA needs to keep an “objective voice”","author":"Thomas","date":"June 15, 2014","format":false,"excerpt":"Many thanks to Richard Cuff for sharing this editorial from the Washington Post: (Source: Washington Post) AS AUTHORITARIAN states such as Russia and China ramp up well-funded and sophisticated global propaganda operations, U.S. officials and members of Congress fret that the U.S. government\u2019s information operations are lagging behind.\u00a0[...] A bipartisan\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Broadcasters"","block_context":{"text":"Broadcasters","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/broadcasters\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"WashingtonPostLogo","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/06\/WashingtonPostLogo.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9696","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/15"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=9696"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9696\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=9696"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=9696"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=9696"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}