Voice of America
International US-owned broadcaster / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Voice of America (VOA or VoA) is the state-owned news network and international radio broadcaster of the United States of America. It is the largest and oldest of the U.S.-funded international broadcasters.[4][5][6] VOA produces digital, TV, and radio content in 49 languages, which it distributes to affiliate stations around the world.[7] Its targeted and primary audience is non-American. As of November 2022, its reporting reached 326 million adults per week across all platforms.[8]
Abbreviation | VoA |
---|---|
Founded | February 1, 1942; 82 years ago (1942-02-01) |
Type | International state-funded broadcaster |
Headquarters | Wilbur J. Cohen Federal Building |
Location |
|
Director | John Lippman (acting, since October 2023)[1] |
Budget (Fiscal year 2023) | US$267.5 million[2] |
Staff (2021) | 961[3] |
Website | www |
VOA was established in 1942, and the VOA charter was signed into law in 1976 by U.S. President Gerald Ford.[9][10] It is headquartered in Washington, D.C., and overseen by the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM), an independent agency of the U.S. government.[11] Funds are appropriated annually under the budget for embassies and consulates. As of 2022, VOA had a weekly worldwide audience of approximately 326 million (up from 237 million in 2016) and employed 961 staff with an annual budget of $267.5 million.[2][12][13]
Voice of America is seen by some listeners as having a positive impact while others like lecturer Faizullah Jan of Pakistan's University of Peshawar see it as both that and in addition as American propaganda; it also serves US diplomacy.[14][15][16]