Kolkata Workshop on Avian/Swine Influenza

Am here in Kolkata to help organize a workshop on for journalists and others on covering avian and pandemic/swine flu. They are taking swine very seriously here. At the airport, they take a form, your temperature and your pulse before allowing you to proceed to Customs. Everyone wears masks. I was impressed with the level of concern in tracking people coming into the country. More later.

VOA on the Hill

House members were really supportive of VOA at a hearing of the Foreign Affairs' subcommittee on Europe. Rep. Robert Wexler, the chairman, said international broadcasting was a "top priority" for President Obama. He added: "It is imperative that Congress provide additional funding and resources to give U.S. international broadcasters the tools they need to ensure the free flow of information." Check out VOA Director Dan Austin's testimony
http://www.voanews.com/english/About/2009-07-23-austin-testimony.cfm

SMS in Kenya

VOA just launched an SMS project in Kenya. In Swahili! Safaricom users will not be able to get text messages on their phones. SMS is really taking off in Africa. We had an earlier project during the Zimbabwe elections. Stay tuned...

VOA in Iran

VOA's continuing to broadcast into Iran. The government is trying to shut down Internet sites and jam broadcasts. We're still getting the news into Iran, however. We've even set up a special page to honor Neda, the 26-year-old woman who was slain during the demonstations.
http://www.voanews.com/persian/2009-06-24-voa16.cfm

And if you want to see VOA in action, check ohttp://bbgtunein.blogspot.com/2009/06/wusa-highlights-voas-pnn.htmlut this: