VOA Scoops!

Although I'm in VOA public relations, I'll always be a journalist at heart. That's why I'm always thrilled when I hear about scoops by VOA reporters.

Here's a good one:
Last Friday (Feb. 27), Mariam Kurtz, who a journalist from Tanzania who worked in our office while in school, called to say she knew the name of the main who was auctioning off glasses and sandals that used to belong to Mahatma Gandhi. The owner, James Otis of California, would be willing to talk with a VOA reporter, Mariam said. (Mariam's husband, Lester Kurtz, and Otis are working on a documentary film about non-violence.)

Shortly after the call, Niharika Acharya, a broadcaster with VOA's Hindi's service, called Otis who told her the whole story. A peace activist, Otis never imagined the auction would cause a controversy. He hoped the artifacts would go on tour to help teach non-violence.

Nelson Lopes, another VOA staffer with the Portuguese, has excellent connections in Guinea Bissau. So good that after the country's president and the army chief of staff were killed, Lopes reached the Minster of Defense to confirm the killings.

That's the kind of access VOA reporters have -- around the world. We're broadcasting in 45 languages -- and we've got people in every corner. Literally.