Voice of America

The Voice of America (VOA) is the official broadcasting service of the United States government. It is one of the best-known stations in international broadcasting, is similar to international broadcasters such as the BBC World Service, BBC World, Deutsche Welle, and Radio France Internationale.

Laws governing VOA-IBB's activities

Under United States law (the Smith-Mundt Act of 1948), the Voice of America is forbidden to broadcast directly to American citizens. The original intent of this legislation is to keep the federal government from having a direct outlet to the public, unlike many European countries.

Related Topics:
Law - Smith-Mundt Act - Legislation

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• It is only a matter of time until this 1942 shortwave broadcasting policy is undone. In many ways this 1942 law and policy has no real or residual strategic value, because of changes in the U.S. mass media system. The policy's post-9/11 strategic value is questionable.
• The law explicitly forbidding VOA from carrying out any domestic broadcasting activities is partly derived from the U.S.'s lack of a state funded domestic radio or television broadcaster. The law was also designed to satisfy the needs of the U.S.'s commercial radio broadcasting companies.
• The U.S. PBS (TV) and NPR (Radio) networks in the U.S. function with some public funding, but without the oversight that state broadcasting corporations typically have. Both networks supply material for VOA Worldnet TV or VOA's Radio's flagship English Service.

In special cases, such as the 1981 TV program Let Poland Be Poland, Congressional approval was required to show Americans the program. However, VOA is audible on shortwave and broadcasts streaming audio over the Internet, which enables Americans to hear the programming.

Related Topics:
1981 - Let Poland Be Poland - Shortwave - Streaming audio

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