Roxana Saberi came to VOA last week to talk -- in Farsi --about her time in a jail in Iran on trumped up charges of spying. Saberi lived in Iran for six years --and worked for VOA some of that time -- and she knows the impact VOA's Persian News Network has. In fact, one in four adult Iranians is listening to PNN. PNN anchor Setareh Derakhshesh is no doubt as well-known in Iran as any of the American network anchors are in the United States.
But don't take it from me -- Haleh Vazeri, who studies media for the survey research company, Intermedia, told a conference at the Center for International Media Assistance last week that PNN is the the most successful example she knows about in reaching young people. (Intermedia does research for the Broadcasting Board of Governors.)
Finally, Jim Glassman's blog -- he's got it right. VOA is not in the image-building business -- we're in the news and information business!
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Reaching Pakistanis on Radio in the NWFP
I hope everyone has been following what's been going on in the northwest of Pakistan. The army is trying to root out Taliban militants -- and civilians, as usual, are the collateral damage. More than 1 million people have displaced in the northwest region -- and it's hot. Temperatures are up to 114 degrees, sanitation is poor. BUT AT LEAST PEOPLE HAVE DEEWA. VOA's Deewa is a radio program that broadcasts 6 hours a day. News and information -- and culture. Here's the press release we put out today.
Washington, D.C., May 20, 2009 – Pakistanis calling in to the Voice of America’s (VOA) Deewa Radio today from camps in the country’s war-torn northwest praised the United States for providing aid and urged transparency in its distribution.
Callers to Deewa’s news and current affairs show said they were grateful for the U.S. decision, announced by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton Tuesday, to give Pakistan $110 million in assistance, including food, tents, water and radios. They said the aid must be channeled to the most deserving people in an open manner.
Lt. Gen. Nadeem Ahmad, who is heading Pakistan’s relief effort, called the U.S. relief “significant.” And Iftikhar Hussain, information minister for Pakistan’s Northwest Frontier Province (NWFP) said in an interview with Deewa that he hoped other countries will follow the U.S. lead by giving assistance.
U.N. officials say more than 1.1 million people have been displaced in the northwest since Pakistan’s military launched an offensive against Taliban militants in the region. Many people are living in Internally Displaced People’s (IDP) camps where sanitation is poor.
Deewa, which broadcasts in the Pashto language, can be heard on shortwave, FM and the Internet (www.voanews.com/Deewa) throughout the affected region. With 20 stringers in the Pashto-speaking part of Pakistan and 15 staff members here, Deewa broadcasts six hours daily of original programs that feature news, current affairs and call-in shows.
Started in September 2006, Deewa regularly engages with young people, women and artists in the region. It also airs shows on Muslims in America, youth, health, culture and literature.
Washington, D.C., May 20, 2009 – Pakistanis calling in to the Voice of America’s (VOA) Deewa Radio today from camps in the country’s war-torn northwest praised the United States for providing aid and urged transparency in its distribution.
Callers to Deewa’s news and current affairs show said they were grateful for the U.S. decision, announced by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton Tuesday, to give Pakistan $110 million in assistance, including food, tents, water and radios. They said the aid must be channeled to the most deserving people in an open manner.
Lt. Gen. Nadeem Ahmad, who is heading Pakistan’s relief effort, called the U.S. relief “significant.” And Iftikhar Hussain, information minister for Pakistan’s Northwest Frontier Province (NWFP) said in an interview with Deewa that he hoped other countries will follow the U.S. lead by giving assistance.
U.N. officials say more than 1.1 million people have been displaced in the northwest since Pakistan’s military launched an offensive against Taliban militants in the region. Many people are living in Internally Displaced People’s (IDP) camps where sanitation is poor.
Deewa, which broadcasts in the Pashto language, can be heard on shortwave, FM and the Internet (www.voanews.com/Deewa) throughout the affected region. With 20 stringers in the Pashto-speaking part of Pakistan and 15 staff members here, Deewa broadcasts six hours daily of original programs that feature news, current affairs and call-in shows.
Started in September 2006, Deewa regularly engages with young people, women and artists in the region. It also airs shows on Muslims in America, youth, health, culture and literature.
Monday, May 4, 2009
VOA Broadcasting to Pakistan
A couple of years ago, VOA started Deewa Radio -- it's aimed at people who live in Pakistan's Northwest Frontier Province where there's fighting between the Taliban and the Pakistan Army. Deewa is terrific. Most people in Pakistan speak Urdu, but people living in NWFP speak Pashto. Deewa has been doing a great job of covering the area -- examining the Taliban's efforts to disrupt life including shutting down schools for girls. If you speak -- I don't -- you can listen to Deewa at www.voanews.com. Deewa has a staff of 13 with some 21 stringers in the region. If you are in Washington, let me introduce Deewa to you.
Friday, May 1, 2009
Town Hall at the Newseum/
We're getting ready for a really cool program at the Newseum on May 5 -- it's a Town Hall bringing in people from around the world. And everyone can participate -- advance. You can send questions to obama100days@voanews.com
Or you can log onto www.voanews.com and send a video.
Check it out!
Or you can log onto www.voanews.com and send a video.
Check it out!
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