Showing posts with label VOA. Show all posts
Showing posts with label VOA. Show all posts
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Ben Affleck Visits DRC
Just read a great piece about Affleck's work in Congo. I'm going to see all his movies!
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Tibetan Monks Hear About Dalai Lama's Obama Meeting on VOA
*Fireworks in homeland ahead of Dalai Lama's Obama meeting
*Ben Blanchard and Maxim Duncan
TONGREN, China
Wed Feb 17, 2010 11:43pm EST
TONGREN, China (Reuters) - Tibetans living near the birthplace of the Dalai Lama in northwest China welcomed Thursday's scheduled meeting between their exiled spiritual leader and Barack Obama with a defiant show of fireworks.
Buddhist monks in Tongren, an overwhelmingly ethnic Tibetan part of northwestern Qinghai province, said they were celebrating the meeting in Washington, which is going ahead despite warnings from Beijing that Obama's act will hurt Sino-U.S. ties.
Tensions with Washington have already risen over issues ranging from trade and currencies to a U.S. plan to sell $6.4 billion of weapons to self-ruled Taiwan, which China considers a renegade province.
The midnight display of fireworks along a valley dotted with Tibetan Buddhist monasteries was a bold and noisy reminder that, in spite of Chinese condemnation of the Dalai Lama, he remains a potent figure in his homeland, and his meeting with Obama will be noticed here by both supporters and opponents.
"My heart is filled with joy," said Johkang, showing off an enormous smile, standing at his monastery in this arid and mountainous part of the Qinghai province, which lies next to the official Tibet Autonomous Region.
"It is so important for us that this is happening, that the U.S. has not given in to threats and will meet our leader," added the monk, who like many ethnic Tibetans goes only by one name.
Qinghai, called Amdo by Tibetans, is where the Dalai Lama was born in 1935. He fled into exile from Tibet in 1959 after a failed uprising against Chinese rule, and since then has campaigned for self-rule for Tibetans. China brands him a separatist.
Tibetans set off fireworks at this time of year anyway to mark the start of their traditional lunar new year.
But many Tibetan monks in Tongren told Reuters that this year they were also marking the Dalai Lama's scheduled meeting in the White House.
"We do this whenever something big, and good happens," said Losan, swathed in the vermillion robes of a Buddhist holy man, standing on a hillside above a monastery where monks were lighting fireworks in the early hours of Thursday.
"He's really going to meet Obama?" interrupted a monk standing next to him, sounding somewhat incredulous.
*"I heard it on Voice Of America,*" Losan told him confidently.
The sound of conch shells being blown echoed around the valley as a group of monks burned an offering of flour and a ceremonial Tibetan scarf on a fire.
Veneration for the Dalai Lama transcends the Buddhist clergy and extends into broader Tibetan society where many resent Chinese rule and the relative wealth of Han Chinese.
"I'm very excited about who the Dalai Lama is going to meet," said one Tibetan woman, who declined to be identified citing the sensitive nature of the topic. "But I worry about what measures the government could take against us in retaliation."
Word of the Dalai Lama's meeting with Obama has filtered through to Qinghai through Tibetan-language foreign radio broadcasts, monks say, though news that the meeting was happening has been mentioned in passing in state media.
Some spoke proudly of the Dalai Lama's Nobel Peace Prize, awarded in 1989.
"That the 1.3 billion Han Chinese have never had one of their number win a Nobel prize and that we have, with just 6 million people, says something powerful," said a monk, Tedan. "Now you understand why we love him so much."
While technically Tibetan monasteries are not supposed to show pictures of the Dalai Lama, many in Qinghai do, the government generally having a more relaxed attitude outside of the Tibet Autonomous Region.
Still, a sense of wariness pervades Tongren.
A large new paramilitary police headquarters is being built outside the county seat, and monks mutter about occasional fines if their public devotion to the Dalai Lama becomes too much.
Around 12 months ago, also during the start of the Tibetan lunar new year, Chinese security forces maintained an obvious presence in Tongren, though lighter than in some Tibetan areas, especially Lhasa, capital of the official Tibet autonomous region.
The year before had been marked by anti-Chinese violence across Tibetan-populated parts of China, centered on Lhasa, where at least 19 died after protests by monks gave way to bloody violence, with Tibetan rioters attacking Han Chinese.
China blamed the Dalai Lama for inspiring the unrest, and regularly condemns him for seeking Tibetan independence. He has repeatedly denied being a separatist or supporting violence.
"CCTV is always saying this and that about him and about us Tibetans," said monk Tarkey, referring to China's main state-run television network. "The world will get a better idea about who he is once he meets Obama."
*Ben Blanchard and Maxim Duncan
TONGREN, China
Wed Feb 17, 2010 11:43pm EST
TONGREN, China (Reuters) - Tibetans living near the birthplace of the Dalai Lama in northwest China welcomed Thursday's scheduled meeting between their exiled spiritual leader and Barack Obama with a defiant show of fireworks.
Buddhist monks in Tongren, an overwhelmingly ethnic Tibetan part of northwestern Qinghai province, said they were celebrating the meeting in Washington, which is going ahead despite warnings from Beijing that Obama's act will hurt Sino-U.S. ties.
Tensions with Washington have already risen over issues ranging from trade and currencies to a U.S. plan to sell $6.4 billion of weapons to self-ruled Taiwan, which China considers a renegade province.
The midnight display of fireworks along a valley dotted with Tibetan Buddhist monasteries was a bold and noisy reminder that, in spite of Chinese condemnation of the Dalai Lama, he remains a potent figure in his homeland, and his meeting with Obama will be noticed here by both supporters and opponents.
"My heart is filled with joy," said Johkang, showing off an enormous smile, standing at his monastery in this arid and mountainous part of the Qinghai province, which lies next to the official Tibet Autonomous Region.
"It is so important for us that this is happening, that the U.S. has not given in to threats and will meet our leader," added the monk, who like many ethnic Tibetans goes only by one name.
Qinghai, called Amdo by Tibetans, is where the Dalai Lama was born in 1935. He fled into exile from Tibet in 1959 after a failed uprising against Chinese rule, and since then has campaigned for self-rule for Tibetans. China brands him a separatist.
Tibetans set off fireworks at this time of year anyway to mark the start of their traditional lunar new year.
But many Tibetan monks in Tongren told Reuters that this year they were also marking the Dalai Lama's scheduled meeting in the White House.
"We do this whenever something big, and good happens," said Losan, swathed in the vermillion robes of a Buddhist holy man, standing on a hillside above a monastery where monks were lighting fireworks in the early hours of Thursday.
"He's really going to meet Obama?" interrupted a monk standing next to him, sounding somewhat incredulous.
*"I heard it on Voice Of America,*" Losan told him confidently.
The sound of conch shells being blown echoed around the valley as a group of monks burned an offering of flour and a ceremonial Tibetan scarf on a fire.
Veneration for the Dalai Lama transcends the Buddhist clergy and extends into broader Tibetan society where many resent Chinese rule and the relative wealth of Han Chinese.
"I'm very excited about who the Dalai Lama is going to meet," said one Tibetan woman, who declined to be identified citing the sensitive nature of the topic. "But I worry about what measures the government could take against us in retaliation."
Word of the Dalai Lama's meeting with Obama has filtered through to Qinghai through Tibetan-language foreign radio broadcasts, monks say, though news that the meeting was happening has been mentioned in passing in state media.
Some spoke proudly of the Dalai Lama's Nobel Peace Prize, awarded in 1989.
"That the 1.3 billion Han Chinese have never had one of their number win a Nobel prize and that we have, with just 6 million people, says something powerful," said a monk, Tedan. "Now you understand why we love him so much."
While technically Tibetan monasteries are not supposed to show pictures of the Dalai Lama, many in Qinghai do, the government generally having a more relaxed attitude outside of the Tibet Autonomous Region.
Still, a sense of wariness pervades Tongren.
A large new paramilitary police headquarters is being built outside the county seat, and monks mutter about occasional fines if their public devotion to the Dalai Lama becomes too much.
Around 12 months ago, also during the start of the Tibetan lunar new year, Chinese security forces maintained an obvious presence in Tongren, though lighter than in some Tibetan areas, especially Lhasa, capital of the official Tibet autonomous region.
The year before had been marked by anti-Chinese violence across Tibetan-populated parts of China, centered on Lhasa, where at least 19 died after protests by monks gave way to bloody violence, with Tibetan rioters attacking Han Chinese.
China blamed the Dalai Lama for inspiring the unrest, and regularly condemns him for seeking Tibetan independence. He has repeatedly denied being a separatist or supporting violence.
"CCTV is always saying this and that about him and about us Tibetans," said monk Tarkey, referring to China's main state-run television network. "The world will get a better idea about who he is once he meets Obama."
Friday, February 12, 2010
Interview on Federal News Radio
I had a good time bragging on VOA today -- how our staffers covered events in Iran, had the latest on the fighting in Somalia and are still the only game in town in Haiti. Please listen!
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
VOA Operates Despite U.S. Government Shutdown
VOA is a 24-hour service. So despite the massive snowstorm in Washington -- and the shutdown of the U.S. Government -- the languages services are still operating. One big story missed by many -- and covered by VOA Somali -- is the impending crisis in Mogadishu. Check it out at www.voanews.com
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Plane Broadcasting VOA News and Information to Haiti
PRESS RELEASE - Washington D.C., January 17, 2010 – Voice of America (VOA) Creole-language broadcasts to earthquake-stricken Haiti are now being heard throughout that country on multiple radio frequencies, many delivered by transmitters aboard a U.S. Defense Department-sponsored aircraft that began flying Saturday.
The added service features a five-hour afternoon FM program providing news and disaster relief information for the Haitian people, struggling to cope with that country's worst natural disaster in over 200 years.
Since the January 12 earthquake, VOA has increased its Creole programming from 1.5 hours to 10.5 hours Monday through Friday and from 1 hour to 9.5 hours Saturday and Sunday.
"We are very gratified to have the direct FM transmission to complement our shortwave and AM broadcasts in response to the crisis in Haiti," said Danforth W. Austin, VOA director. "These broadcasts demonstrate how U.S. Government agencies can work together when disaster strikes."
VOA Creole is covering the relief efforts in Haiti with VOA correspondents and Haitian stringer reporters on the ground, as VOA Washington headquarters and Miami bureau staffs work the crisis around the clock. Public service announcements are airing hourly to provide information about public safety and availability of water and food and other disaster assistance. VOA has also set up a call-in line to broadcast messages from family members and friends to Haiti, along with Twitter and Facebook accounts.
VOA Creole has long been a trusted source of news and information in Haiti and is the most popular international broadcaster in the country with a weekly audience reach of just over 50% of the adult population, according to independent survey research.
Stories, audio reports, photos, video and survival information
The added service features a five-hour afternoon FM program providing news and disaster relief information for the Haitian people, struggling to cope with that country's worst natural disaster in over 200 years.
Since the January 12 earthquake, VOA has increased its Creole programming from 1.5 hours to 10.5 hours Monday through Friday and from 1 hour to 9.5 hours Saturday and Sunday.
"We are very gratified to have the direct FM transmission to complement our shortwave and AM broadcasts in response to the crisis in Haiti," said Danforth W. Austin, VOA director. "These broadcasts demonstrate how U.S. Government agencies can work together when disaster strikes."
VOA Creole is covering the relief efforts in Haiti with VOA correspondents and Haitian stringer reporters on the ground, as VOA Washington headquarters and Miami bureau staffs work the crisis around the clock. Public service announcements are airing hourly to provide information about public safety and availability of water and food and other disaster assistance. VOA has also set up a call-in line to broadcast messages from family members and friends to Haiti, along with Twitter and Facebook accounts.
VOA Creole has long been a trusted source of news and information in Haiti and is the most popular international broadcaster in the country with a weekly audience reach of just over 50% of the adult population, according to independent survey research.
Stories, audio reports, photos, video and survival information
Friday, December 4, 2009
VOA Afghan Service Chief at SAIS
http://www.sais-jhu.edu/news-and-events/index.htm#jawad
Voice of America’s Beth Mendelson, Chief of VOA’s Afghan Service, was a
panelist today at a John’s Hopkins University School of Advanced
International Studies discussion, “Afghanistan: Where Do We Go From Here?”
with keynote speaker Said Tayeb Jawad.
The event, sponsored by SAIS’s Center on Politics and Foreign Relations and
moderated by CPFR Director Robert Guttman, examined the Afghan perspective
on the Obama administration’s new war strategy for Afghanistan which
includes a major military surge of 30,000 additional U.S. troops and an 18
month timetable to drawdown American forces serving in Afghanistan.
Ambassador Jawad acknowledged his land-locked country will have a steep task
accommodating the arrival of 30,000 fresh troops, the first of which are set
to deploy within weeks. The ambassador added efforts to improve relations
with neighboring countries will help ensure there is support for the new
recruits.
The ambassador also said the U.S. success in Afghanistan will involve
efforts to engage and understand the needs of the Afghan people.
Along with Ambassador Jawad and Mr. Guttman, Mendelson was joined on the
panel by Daniel Dombey, diplomatic correspondent at the Financial Times. Video
and audio of the discussion can be seen at the SAIS Web site at
http://www.sais-jhu.edu/index.html.
Voice of America’s Beth Mendelson, Chief of VOA’s Afghan Service, was a
panelist today at a John’s Hopkins University School of Advanced
International Studies discussion, “Afghanistan: Where Do We Go From Here?”
with keynote speaker Said Tayeb Jawad.
The event, sponsored by SAIS’s Center on Politics and Foreign Relations and
moderated by CPFR Director Robert Guttman, examined the Afghan perspective
on the Obama administration’s new war strategy for Afghanistan which
includes a major military surge of 30,000 additional U.S. troops and an 18
month timetable to drawdown American forces serving in Afghanistan.
Ambassador Jawad acknowledged his land-locked country will have a steep task
accommodating the arrival of 30,000 fresh troops, the first of which are set
to deploy within weeks. The ambassador added efforts to improve relations
with neighboring countries will help ensure there is support for the new
recruits.
The ambassador also said the U.S. success in Afghanistan will involve
efforts to engage and understand the needs of the Afghan people.
Along with Ambassador Jawad and Mr. Guttman, Mendelson was joined on the
panel by Daniel Dombey, diplomatic correspondent at the Financial Times. Video
and audio of the discussion can be seen at the SAIS Web site at
http://www.sais-jhu.edu/index.html.
Friday, March 6, 2009
VOA response to Daniel Pipes
If anyone has read the Daniel Pipes piece, here's our response. Thanks! The Voice of America (VOA) regularly provides guidance to our journalists on style and usage to enable writers to communicate with audiences clearly, precisely and consistently. It was in this context that Jennifer Janin wrote to the Urdu Service, reinforcing guidelines in the VOA News Stylebook, which is updated regularly. What Mr. Pipes' readers may not know is that VOA is governed by the VOA Charter, which became a law in July 12, 1976 was reiterated in the more recent U.S. International Broadcasting Act of 1994. It mandates the U.S. international broadcaster “will serve as a consistently reliable and authoritative source of news. VOA news will be accurate, objective, and comprehensive.”
VOA reaches an estimated 134 million people around the world in 45 languages by radio, television and Internet. A major reason for our success is our credibility, which reflects our vigorous adherence to the Charter and VOA’s Journalistic
Code, calling for reliable and unbiased reporting.
Finally, Mr. Pipes' comments about Spozhmai Maiwandi are unacceptable.
Ms. Maiwandi, director of VOA's Southeast Asia Division, is a professional journalist, a loyal American citizen and a longtime, valued employee of the Voice of America.
Joan Mower
Director, public relations
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