UNITED STATES ADVISORY COMMISSION ON PUBLIC DIPLOMACY 1986 REPORT

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP90G00152R001002020002-3
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 11
• Document Creation Date: December 27, 2016
• Document Release Date: September 2, 2011
• Sequence Number: 2
• Publication Date: January 20, 1987
• Content Type: MEMO

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Media and Programs
Television
^ The Commission reaffirms its support for the
development of the WORLDNET television service
as a major program arm of U.S. public diplomacy.
The Commission commends USIA for its innova-
tive use of "interactive" press conferences with
foreign journalists, its negotiation of favorable fi-
nancial terms for satellite time in Europe, and its
efforts to install "television receive only" (TYRO)
dish antennas at USIA's posts worldwide.
^ The Commission recommends that USIA as a
high priority continue to pursue technical arrange-
ments for a worldwide television broadcasting net-
work. The expansion of regional daily broadcast
services will require audience surveys, careful long-
range planning, and considered assessment of ap-
propriate programs and program policies.
^ The Commission recommends the National Se-
curity Council examine WORLDNET with a view
toward clarifying its mission, long-term needs, and
appropriate institutional role through the prepa-
ration of a National Security Decision Directive.
^ The Commission recommends that Congress
fund a new television service (RIAS-TV) to be added
to Radio in the American Sector in West Berlin for
broadcasts to the German Democratic Republic and
the Federal Republic of Germany.
0 tic of the most innosa-
tiye and potentially tar-
reaching achievements
in public diplomacy to-
day is USIA's increased
use otthe television me-
diunt. In November
I')83. the A,eency initiated its first
espcrimenral ;atellitc tries ision
press contcrence. Today. USIA's
one-ss ay video, t\\.( )-\%a\. audio
?ORLDNET interactive pro-
grants proside v ic%%crs in 75 coun-
tries with regular access to prom-
inent American newsmakers and
sidcocontcrences on important
public diplomacy themes.
WORLDNET
USIA's WORLDNET television
service consists of two kinds of
programming: ?'ORLDNET
-'intcractivcs" and regularly-sched-
uled broadcasts.
?'ORLDNET interactives link
Washington and ans? U.S. location
with embassies, consulates, and
USIA posts overseas. Journalists
and other invited guests in up to
tine countries question U.S. offi-
cials directly via satellite during
hour-long interviews.
Most interactives have been tele-
press conferences designed to
communicate U.S. foreign policy
Objectives directly to opinion lead-
ers and important media organi-
zations. But USIA is also begin-
ning to tap the potennal1of
?'ORI.DNET intcracttcc sideo-
contcrences on political. eco-
nomic, scientitic, and cultural top-
10W.
Examples of ?'ORLDNET in-
reractivcs include
^ An inter iew with Secretary of
State George Shultz by journalists
in tiye European countries pn(r to
the Geneva Summit,
^ An interview with Attornes
General Edwin Meese III on in-
ternational narcotics issues hs
journalists in Latin American
countries,
^ A one-country yideocontcr-
encc with U.S. historian John Hope
Franklin and educators in France
preparing questions on American
history for the French national ac-
ademic examinations.
^ A rsyo-hour sidcocontrrcnce
linking American and Sosict car-
diologists; and
^ An interviesw with Under Sec-
retary of State Michael Armacost
by journalists in Asia on U.S. se-
curiny concerns in the Pacific.
L SIA has produced more than
170 WORLDNET interactises.
From extensive discussions ss ith
Ambassadors and USIA officers
during post visits- the Commis-
sion has concluded that interac-
tiyes can be extraordinar iv ettcc-
riye. An interview with a kes
American official on an issue im-
portant to United States interests
can lead to significant prime time
foreign television exposure and ex-
tensive print media coverage. Just
as useful in the long run, the Com-
mission believes, is the develop-
ment of WORLDNETs interac-
tive capability and use of low-cost
satellite time to link influential
Americans with a variety of ti,r-
eign audiences.
Sonic cautionary notes are in (~r-
der however. Interviews svirh
American officials must produce
genuine news to assure foreign
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prime time coverage. Programs
should be tailored closely to post
needs rather than to who is avail-
able in Washington or a desire to
till satellite time. WORLDNET still
strains the capacity of scarce post
staff and budget resources. Care
must be taken to avoid forcing posts
to participate too frequently or to
spend time inviting busy journal-
ists to programs in which then are
not interested. Some posts believe
that USIA headquarters is nor tnl(v
receptive to candid evaluations of
VORLDNET. and the percep-
tion is widespread that there are
penalties for questioning Wash-
ington's judgments. The Commis-
sion senses that this is changing as
both Washington and field posts
become more comfortable with
VORLD`ET. Program evalua-
tion should be strongly encour-
aged. particularly at this important
early stage in the development of
international broadcast television.
VORLDNET interactives are a
successful program innovation. The
Commission commends L'SL-k and
Director Wick for bringing about
this visionary and fundamental
change in the conduct of public
diplomacy.
A second kind ofWORLDNET
programming-bcgan in April 1985
when USIA introduced regularly-
scheduled television service be-
tween the U.S. and Western Eu-
rope. The daily, two-hour broad-
casts include: "America Today," a
30-minute news and features pro-
gram, "Almanac," a twice-weekly
interview show with prominent
Americans: and regular features on
Amencana. science. sp()rtS, and the
arts. These programs are received
by U.S. embassies, cable television
systems, and closed circuit televi-
sion in hotels.
This expansion of WORLD-
Journalists in Sydney question Defense Secretary Caspar Weinberger in Washington during a multi-
countrv WORLDNET satelliu relevuwn "interactive." i Photograph provided courtesy of Veins
Limited, Sydney, Australia.)
NET was made possible by the
growth of international satellite
capacity and U SLA's negotiation
of highly favorable financial terms
for satellite time in Europe.
The Agency's uutial contract with
the French Government for
VORLDNET's European service
cost 51.6 million for 520 hours a
year of satellite time, a 90 percent
reduction from standard commer-
cial rates. For this amount, the
Agencv is able to reach dish an-
tennas at 19 USIA posts (60 more
are scheduled in Europe) and other
dish antennas within the "foot-
print" of the ELTELSAT satellite.
The long-predicted arrival of
global television is at hand- and
USIA is taking advantage of for-
tuitous developments in telecom-
munications technology. Other
go ernments are pursuing similar
uses of international satellite tele-
s ision. The Commission com-
mends USIA for capitalizing on
advantageous rates for satellite time
in Europe and moving quickly to
install TYRO dish antennas at its
posts throughout the world.
The Commission also believes
USIA was wise to experiment with
a dally WORLDNET service in
Europe. Although still very much
in the R&D stage, with relatively
small audiences, the daily service
is providing the Agency with in-
valuable experience. It is opening
doors with key communications
officials in foreign governments and
the television industry. USIA is in-
vesting early in a powerful and rap-
idly changing technology. The most
significant payoffs for this aspect
of public diplomacy lie in the fu-
ture.
USIA should continue to ex-
periment and explore alternative
programming approaches. Some
European posts hale suggested, for
example, that a half-hour news
program produced at the end of
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the day in Washington for morn-
ing broadcast would be successful.
since there is little "breakfast"
broadcast ncsss in Europe. Video
press releases also should be con-
sIdercd. For example, a major L'.S.
Vosernment policy statement on
rcrrorism or the Strategic Detense
[nirians e could be packaged in short
tive minutes or less) video clips.
The clips could then be satellite-
transnurted to those posts ss ith dish
antennas, where they would be re-
corded; or they could be shipped
tor timely post use. The' could be
used for press placement, for
showings to key host country au-
diences, and for archival use in the
post's video library.
The overall cost for WORLD-
NET is not high in comparison
with other public diplomacy pro-
grams. USIA's WORLDNET
budget in FY 1986 is S9.6 million,
approximately 1.4 percent of the
Agency's enacted operating budget.
The overall Television and Film
Service budget for FY 1986 is 525.3
million, approximately 3.6 percent
of the Agency's enacted operating
budget.
WORLDNET cannot be turned
on and off like a spigot. If funding
is cut due to the Gramm-Rudman-
Hollings Act or other episodic
concerns, the contacts, access, and
favorable arrangements with for-
eign governments and the televi-
sion industry could be lost per-
manentiv.
Whether to commit to daily tel-
evision broadcasting in language
services worldwide is a major stra-
tegic decision for the United Stapes.
It involves significant budget and
USL4's WORLD\'ET antenna in Rome is one of 19 operating in Europe.
staff commitments tar beyond cur-
rent levels; judgments on alterna-
tive technological futures; and
tough choices among competing
programs, including possible trade-
offs with VOA modernization and
the exchange programs. USIA has
been quietly edging into daily tel-
evision broadcasting without the
rigorous analysis and long-range
planning such a decision needs. In
the Commission's view, it does not
vet have the requisite OMB and
Congressional support. The Com-
mission encourages USIA to un-
dertake the audience surveys, care-
ful long-range planning, and
considered assessment of appro-
priate programs and program pol-
icies that expansion of regional daily
broadcast services will require. The
National Security Council should
also examine WORLDNET with
a view toward clarifying its mis-
sion, long-term needs, and appro-
priate institutional role through the
preparation of a National Security
Decision Directive.
Other Programs
The Television and Film Stn ice
provides a wide range ofother pro-
grams.
The TV Satellite File, a weekly
half-hour magazine-type program
of news and features, is used by
140 foreign broadcasters in 110
countries. "Science World," a bi-
weekly TV magazine on develop-
ments in U.S. scientific research is
distributed to 94 countries. USL-k
also produced documentaries for
worldwide distribution on the
"First Ladies' Conference on Drug
Abuse" and "Artificial Intelli-
gence," as well as extensive cov-
erage of visits to Washington of
foreign heads of state. All of these
programs, including TV Satellite
File, are distributed on broadcast-
quality videocassettes for use by
foreign television stations and TV
news syndicators.
USIA's Video Library program,
begun as an experiment in ten posts
two years ago, has now been ot-
tered to all Agency posts. A catalog
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of approximately 1.000 titles per-
mits posts to tailor selections to
country interests and accommo-
date the growing importance of
home video viewing. Some posts
report increased library usage and
book loans as an unexpected ben-
efit of the Video Library program.
Private sector cooperation con-
tinues to enhance USIA's televi-
sion and film acquisitions pro-
gram. By the beginning of 1986.
USIA had acquired the rights to
more than 225 hours of film and
television products for use over-
seas at no cost to the Agency. The
programs include the 60-part
"Portrait of America" series, the
Philip Morris collection of cultural
and sports programs, and ASCAP
tributes to Ira Gershwin and How-
ard Dietz.
The television co-production
program, one of the Agency's most
effective, provides assistance to
foreign TV producers in the United
States. By arranging their video
coverage of press briefings, hard-
to-get interviews with key U.S. ot-
ticials, and meetings with other
prominent Americans, the Tele-
vision Service generates good will,
prime time coverage, and pro-
grams on foreign television sta-
tions that may be reluctant to use
Agency-produced programs.
USIA is still exploring how best
to use the versatile and powerful
television medium. It is important
to experiment, to be tolerant of
occasional failure, and to continue
to work toward the establishment
of a worldwide system of direct
television links to American em-
bassies and USIA posts. USIA has
made considerable progress, and
we commend the Agency's tele-
vision professionals for their
achievements.
RIAS Television
RIAS, Radio in the American Sec-
tor i has been the primary U.S. and
West German media link with East
Germany for the past 30 years. Di-
rected and partly funded by USIA
and operated by a West German
staff, RIAS broadcasts news, com-
mentanv on international events,
and information on developments
within East Germany.
USIA and West German offi-
cials are now proposing to sup-
plement RIAS radio with RIAS
television. Current plans call for a
one-rime U.S. capital investment
of S 12 million for a new building
and technical equipment with re-
curring annual expenditures of
about S5 million for transmission
costs. West Germany would com-
mit to paying approximately S20
million annually for salaries and
other operating expenses.
RLAS-TV would transmit from
West Berlin. Its signal would carry
about 25 miles and reach an esti-
mated 5 million people, including
2 million in Nest Berlin and 3 mil-
lion in East Berlin and surround-
ing population centers of East
Germany. Larger West German
audiences can be reached if the sig-
nal is transmitted on cable s\ stems.
RIAS-TV's programs and edito-
nal policies would be similar to
those of RIAS radio.
The Commission finds the jus-
tification for RIAS-TV convinc-
ing. It would prosidc balanced, ac-
curate news and an American
perspecrise to younger audiences
that increasingly are turning to tel-
evision in countries that are im-
portant to U.S. interests. Al-
though West German television is
seen by a majority of East Ger-
mans, the programs are produced
for West German audiences. They
often do not report oil develop-
ments in East Germany and fre-
quently are slanted against U.S.
policies. RIAS-TV would produce
programs primarily for East Ger-
man audiences.
The Commission recommends
that Congress fund BIAS-TV as
an unequivocal signal of U.S. com-
mitment to the vitality of Berlin,
to the free flow of ideas in Central
Europe. and to the aspirations of
the East German people.
Nepalese patrons view videotapes at USIA's library u Kathmandu.
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Voice ofAmeizca
^ The Commission finds that VOA is not moving
as rapidly as national needs require in meeting the
goals of its multi-year modernization program.
^ The Commission finds that VOA continues to
be surpassed by other major international radio
broadcasters in facilities, equipment, personnel,
signal strength, and broadcast hours. It welcomes
Congressional willingness to provide adequate
funding for modernization.
^ The Commission finds that OMB's $1.3 billion
cap on VOA's multi-year modernization plan will
inhibit VOA's ability to meet the goals developed
in response to the policy direction of the President
and the National Security Council. The Commission
recommends that OMB, USIA, and the NSC review
VOA's modernization budget in light of recent de-
tailed planning, current price estimates, increased
physical security costs, the terms of negotiated
site agreements, and overall broadcast require-
ments.
^ The Commission is disturbed by the large turn-
over of VOA Directors and finds that prolonged
senior level vacancies and lack of continuity have
adversely affected the implementation of modern-
ization initiatives and the management of ongoing
VOA programs.
^ The Commission finds that increased resources
and significant U.S. private sector participation are
needed to nourish VOA's increasingly effective
training program for Third World radio broad-
casters.
^ The Commission commends USIA for resuming
daily VOA broadcasts to Western Europe, for the
quality of VOA Europe's audience research design,
and for its innovative use of AM, FM, satellite, and
cable delivery systems. USIA should evaluate VOA
Europe carefully to determine whether it is reach-
ing significant audiences with effective program-
ming. Addition of German, French, Italian, and
Spanish language broadcasts should be based on
a thorough assessment of research findings.
^ The Commission commends USIA for getting
VOA's Radio Marti program on the air and en-
courages the Agency to undertake thorough eval-
uation of this important new service.
The Voice of America is
one of the most im-
portant instruments of
U.S. public diplomacy.
Broadcasting in 42 lan-
~uages, it reaches a
weeklh? worldwide radio
audience of 119 million with news,
unfiltered explanations of U.S.
policies, and balanced programs on
American thought and culture. For
many listeners, it is their only source
of accurate news and information.
VOA is undergoing a much
needed renaissance. As it enters its
45th year, VO.-k broadcasts more
programs each week than at am'
time since World War 11. It also
has embarked on an ctf'ort to ex-
pand and upgrade its technical fa-
:ulities to mckiern electronic stan-
dards.
The Commission is pleased with
the creatiyin and quality of VOA's
recent program enhancements. We
remain concerned, however, that
VOA is not moving as rapidly as
national needs require in meeting
the goals of its multi-year nu>d-
ernization program.
Modernization
The case for VOA mcxlernizati( m
hears repeating. More than 80 per-
cent of VOA's transmitters are at
least 15 scars old. More than 35
percent were manufactured hefore
195. VOA still has only six op-
crating 500 KW superpower
transmitters 1 actually they are
combinations of aging 250 K?"s
compared to 3; used by the Soviet
Union. France has 11, Nest Ger-
many 9, and Great Britain S. In
broadcasting hours to Africa, Latin
America, the Caribbean, and East
Asia. VOA ranks no higher than
fourth in comparison with other
major international radio broad-
casters.
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President Reagan speaks to the Soviet people before the Geneva Summit from
VOA 's studios in Washington. The address was translated into 42 languages by
VOA for wvrldivide broadcast and carried on L'SL4's WORLDi ET satellite
telcrtsion network.
President Reagan announced
plans for VOA modernization in
1982:
- We intend ro more forward consistent
with budgetary requirements with a
program to nwdernize our pizrnaiv
means of international conmmunication,
our international radio system ... the
Voice ot'.Anurzca, Radio Free Euripe,
and Radio Liberty have been neglected
.for nuurv vears. Their equipment is old
and derenorarinq, their program rc-
'ourccs strained. Little has been done to
counter the ianimiruq that has Intensi-
fied in recent years.
Four vicars later, in response to
directives from the National Se-
curinv Council and with the strong
support of Congress, VOA has
made progress. Negotiated agree-
ments have been reached for news
facilities in Sri Lanka, Morocco,
Thailand, Botswana, Belize, and
with Radio Antilles. Negotiations
are nearing completion with St.
Vincent. Israel, and Puerto Rico.
A medium wave station in Costa
Rica has been added to the VOA
network, and a medium wave sta-
non in Belize is scheduled to begin
broadcasting in the spring of 1986.
The Commission had the oppor-
runinv to view the first of tour pro-
totvpc 500 KW transmitters being
installed for testing at the Murroww
Relay Station in Greenville, North
Carolina. VOA has augmented its
engineering staff and undertaken
a number of "front-end" engi-
neering studies.
Yet the Commission is deeply
troubled that VOA continues to
be surpassed by other major in-
ternational broadcasters in facili-
ties. equipment, personnel, signal
strength, and broadcast hours. In
our report last year we expressed
concern that L-SIA is not moving
quickly enough into the construc-
tion and implementation phase of
the modernization process. A year
later, that concern remains.
The modernization program has
been handicapped by lack of con-
tinuity in leadership at the Voice
of America. VOA has had four Di-
rectors, four Acting Directors, two
Chief Engineers, and two Acting
Chief Engineers since 1981. For
almost half this perichi, VOA has
been led by Acting Directors. The
Commission recognizes this is due
to a variety of circumstances.
Nevertheless, prolonged senior le-, el
vacancies and disruptions caused
by frequent turnovers at the top
have adversely affected implemen-
tation of modernization initiatives
and management continuity for
ongoing programs. The Commis-
sion also believes that when these
vacancies occur out of necessity,
stronger leadership should be cx-
crted in finding replacements in an
expeditious manner.
VOA also faces a fundamental
budget question. OMB has im-
posed a S 1.3 billion cap on VOA's
multi-year modernization pro-
gram. This will inhibit VOA's abil-
in? to meet the goals developed in
response to the policy directives of
the President and the National Se-
curity Council with the support of
the Congress. It would be unfor-
tunate if VOA were forced to make
major long-range decisions now,
based on assumptions of a funding
shortfall in coming years, that
would limit the Agency s ability to
carne out the full modernization
program under existing time-
tables.
VOYAGER. VOA's broadcast ran and traiclina studio. su-
ited 30 states last year adding a new dimension to VO.-i -i
reporting on people and events in American life
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Voice of America & Radio Moscow
wkly Program Hours (1985)
Languages I .%urldwidc
64
421 1306
1 Europe
'4 n23
16' 1415
Middle East
14 194
6 154
Africa
4 _ 214
3l_1-5
Asia
Radio Moscow'
r--
'mice of Amenca
'E11iude.. Coo Rroade.nra
!n North ,Rkn.a
F%jud R.MM Brnada.n
o '. Im t mom.
The Commission has observed
Strong bipartisan Support in the
Congress for VOA moderniza-
tion. A national consensus exists
to get on with a task that will take
years under the best of circum-
stances. The Commission recom-
mends that OMB, USIA and the
National Securim, Council review
VOA's modernization budget in
light of recent detailed planning,
current price estimates. increased
physical security costs, the terms
of negotiated site agreements, and
overall broadcast coverage re-
quirements.
VOA is facing increasing com-
petition for audiences from tele-
vision and high-powered regional
and international radio broad-
casters, who are challenging it with
stronger signals, improved pro-
duction techniques, and more at-
tractive programming. VOA must
spend its modernization resources
wisely, but it must also modernize
more rapidly if it is to hold its lis-
teners and attract new ones in this
competitive communications en-
vironment.
Program Enhancements
VOA continues to make improve-
ments in program quality and dc-
During the past year VOA's
broadcasts increased from 98' to
1327 hours weekly, largely from
the introduction of two major new
services, VOA Europe and the Ra-
dio Marti program. Broadcasts ex-
panded in eight other scrvices:Al-
banian, Arabic, French. Czech,
Slovak, Portuguese. Russian,
Spanish, and Thai.
The increases include a one-hour
early morning show to the Central
USSR. an hour-long evening pro-
gram to Czechoslovakia, and ad-
ditional half-hour shows in the Thai
and Albanian serv ices. For Latin
America, VOA has added an hour
to its evening show, "Buenas
Noches, America," a half-hour
midday news show, and a half-hour
to its moming show, "Buenos Dias,
America."
A new computerized system
called SNAP (System for News and
Programming) will significantly
reduce the time it takes to write
and translate in VOA's 42 lan-
guages, including Russian, Arabic,
and Chinese.
"Sound On Demand," VOA's
electronic audio distribution sys-
tem. also began operation. The
system delivers news actualities in-
stantly to all of VOA's writers and
greatly increases the amount of live,
on-the-scene reportage in VOA's
broadcasts.
These developments, new and
renovated recording studios, and
replacement of vacuum-tube
equipment in the Washington
Master Control center constitute
VOA's "indoor modernization."
Less heralded than other aspects
of modernization, they neverthe-
less add up to a significant change
for the better in VOA's daily op-
erations.
The Commission is especially
pleased that VOA continues to give
audience research and program
quality control a high priority.
VOA's use of USIA's Office of Re-
search for audience studies is ex-
tensive and should serve as a model
for other Agency media elements.
Increased research coordination
bersyeen VOA, the BBC. and the
Board for International Broad.
casting minimizes duplication of
effort and expands the research
findings available to each. VOA's
enacted operating budget in Fl
1986 is S 176.9 million, approxi-
mately 26 percent of USIA's over-
all operating budget and the larg-
est single media budget in the
Agency. In an era of reduced ted-
eral spending, it is important that
VOA continue to emphasize pro-
gram evaluation.
Finally, VOA's Forum Lectures
bring distinguished guest speakers
from in and out of government to
USIA. Many are interviewed on
VOA's broadcasts. The series stim-
ulates new ideas and fresh think-
ing. It is precisely what the Com-
mission had in mind last year when
it recommended that USIA's top
management encourage responsi-
ble internal discussion of profes-
sional issues.
Training for Third World
Broadcasters
Last year the Commission en-
dorsed VOA's fledgling training
program for broadcast protession-
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als from Third World countries.
We are pleased the program has
grown. with five workshops
planned this year at VOA head-
quarters and six overseas in South
Asia, the Caribbean, East Africa.
Southern Africa, and the Philip-
pines. Each will last several weeks
and will reach up to 50 broad-
casters.
Traditionally, USIA has not been
a "training" organization such as
AID or the Peace Corps. USIA
needs to strengthen the resources
it allocates to its own training pro-
grams. The BBC and other Eu-
ropean broadcasters have long
conducted excellent training pro-
grams for journalists in the devel-
oping world, and have established
standards and groups of alumni that
are enviable.
USIA also should cooperate
more closely with AID. As Rep.
Dante Fascell (D-FL) wrote re-
cently, "USIA could usefully com-
plement a number of AID's de-
velopment activities by helping to
train journalists, communications
technicians, and engineers, teach-
ers, and the like. By permitting each
agency to undertake the activities
to which it is best suited, the mis-
sions of public diplomacy and de-
velopment, as well as the foreign
policy goals of the United States,
would be strengthened.":
Unlike the BBC and Deutsche
\Velle, VOA has no domestic net-
work on which to draw in provid-
ing this kind of training. To relate
fully to the domestic broadcasting
background of most foreign radio
professionals, VOA needs to sup-
plement its international broad-
casting experience by tapping the
expertise of the American private
sector. The Commission encour-
ages VOA to continue to develop
links with U.S. radio stations, net-
Advisory Commission members look at a newly installed 500 KW shortwave
transmitter being tested at VOA's Edward R..llurrow relay sratwn in Green rile,
North Carolina. (From left to right) Chairman Edwin J. Feulner, Jr. and
Commuswners Priscilla L. Buckle_y, Hershey Gold, and Tom C. Karologos. (Photo
by Tommy Forrest)
VOA's American
Republics division
uses "Code-a-
Phone" to provide
short, updated re-
ports in English
and Spanish on
breaking Hems
stories to local ra-
dio stations
throughout Latin
America. The sta-
tions call VOA by
telephone and
place the reports
on their own news
programs.
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works, toundations, and univer-
sitics for this purpose.
VOA Europe
On October 15. 1985, the Voice
of America resumed targetted
English language broadcasting to
Western Europe tot the first time
in 5 years. Broadcasting around-
the-clock, seven days a week in
English, VOA is seeking to reach
younger Europeans who have no
personal memory of World War 11
and who may have misconceptions
about the U.S., its policies, and the
shared values of the past.
VOA Europe is the result of long-
term planning and bipartisan sup-
port in the Congress. Extensive
multi-country audience research
studies, recommended by this
Commission four years ago, have
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IYuided decisions on programmrng
and deliver of the VOA Signal In
the highly conlpctitise European
radio environment.
Its program format resembles a
"bill service" U.S. commercial ra-
dio station with contemporary
American and European hit music.
hourly news broadcasts, \'OA ed-
itonak public affairs programs. and
Americana segments. The broad-
VOA's Radio .Yarn Program isfed by satellite fig n
Washington to this reiav station in Marathon Key, Florida
jut broadcast to Cuba on it 50 KW medium mare
transmitter.
casts originate in Washington and
are sent by satellite to Munich for
relay throughout Europe via leased
A\1 and F.M frequencies and cable
systems. Programs are carried by
the European Communications
Satellite 1 ECS1 and recently on
medium wave From VOA rrans-
nlittcrs in Munich.
The Commission commends
USIA for initiating VOA Europe,
tor the quality of its audience re-
search design, and for its innova-
tive use of AM, FM, satellite, and
cable delivers' systems. USIA should
evaluate VOA Europe carefully,
however, to determine whether it
is reaching significant audiences
with effective programming. Ad-
dition of German, French, Italian,
and Spanish language broadcasts
should be based on a thorough as-
sessment of research findings.
Radio Marti Program
On Mav 20. 1985, VOA's Radio
Marti program of broadcasting to
Cuba went on the air. News, pub-
lic affairs, VOA editorials, music,
and cultural, scientific, and enter-
tainment features comprise its
broadcast schedule, which was in-
creased from 14 1'2 to 17 1 /2 hours
a day early in 1986.
Following initial protests and
veiled threats to retaliate, Cuban
authorities apparently have chosen
to compete by upgrading the qual-
it? of their own broadcasting. So
tar, the gloomy predictions of Ra-
dio Marti's U.S. critics have not
collie to pass.
The Commission commends
USIA for getting this valuable new
service on the air. Despite ambig-
uous legrislanye Intent, the Atencv
has successfully developed high-
qualin programming frilly in ac-
cord with VOA standards of ob-
jectivity, accuracy, and balance. At
the same time, the Cuban people
are now able to receive news, ideas.
and information about Cuba not
otherwise available to them.
The Radio Marti program is
broadcast on shortwave and from
a VOA transmitter in Marathon.
Florida. on the 1 180 medium vase
frequency. VOA otlicials estinlare
the signal reaches the entire coun-
try. This was corroborated in
Commission discussions with Ra-
dio Marti program monitors at the
Guantanamo Bay Naval Base in
Cuba. Although reliable audience
figures do not exist, focus group
studies suggest the Radio Marti
program has listeners in even de-
mographic and protessional group
in Cuba.
The Commission encourages
USIA to evaluate this important
new service thoroughly to assure
lively, relevant programming and
compliance with legislative man-
dates.
( aptnc Aaiun, SVcck I'ri .Iantatiiin. 101%. 1'
OA. hr-Idea-sting 1 2 buurs ncekl% in 4
ntwagcs.:s srid hchutd Ra,h? \Ii,e?n.
'ten ,ad-,rine 1680 hours ?., cck!t in 64 lan
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At- i-% hr?adea,r 2353 hours ncckh in
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