Voice of America (VOA) is the largest and oldest U.S. international broadcasting network. Funded by the U.S. government through the U.S. Agency for Global Media, VOA produces digital, TV, and radio content in 48 languages for a global audience outside the United States. Reaching an estimated 326 million adults weekly (as of November 2022), VOA distributes its content via affiliate stations worldwide. Its purpose is to provide news and information to international audiences.
1939: FCC Policy on Broadcasting
In 1939, the U.S. Federal Communications Commission established a policy intended to enforce the State Department's Good Neighbor Policy, though some broadcasters perceived it as a form of censorship.
1940: Combating Nazi Propaganda
Around 1940, shortwave radio signals to Latin America were considered essential to counter Nazi propaganda. Edmund A. Chester, director of Latin American relations at CBS, oversaw the development of the "La Cadena de las Américas" radio network to enhance broadcasting to South America.
December 1941: War News Broadcasts Begin
Following the U.S. entry into World War II in December 1941, the U.S. government's Office of the Coordinator of Information began providing war news and commentary to commercial American shortwave radio stations.
1941: Asian Transmissions Begin
VOA began its Asian transmissions in 1941 using a transmitter in California. This service was later augmented with transmitters in Hawaii and the Philippines.
February 1, 1942: First VOA Broadcast
On February 1, 1942, the first Voice of America (VOA) broadcast, "Stimmen aus Amerika" ("Voices from America"), aired, targeting Germany and marking the official beginning of the VOA. The broadcast included a pledge to tell the truth, regardless of whether the news was good or bad.
1942: Viva America Show Begins
"Viva America," a musical show promoting cultural diplomacy, premiered in 1942.
1942: Office of War Information Takes Over VOA
In 1942, the Office of War Information (OWI) officially assumed control of the Voice of America (VOA)'s operations. The VOA collaborated with the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) to share medium-wave transmitters in Great Britain and expanded into North Africa and Italy as the Allies advanced.
1942: VOA Established
The Voice of America (VOA) was established in 1942.
1942: VOA Founded within Office of War Information
VOA was founded in 1942 as part of the Office of War Information.
1944: Bethany Relay Station Established
In 1944, the Bethany Relay Station began operations in Union Township, Butler County, Ohio.
1945: Viva America Broadcasts Expand
By 1945, the "Viva America" show was being broadcast by 114 stations on the "La Cadena de las Américas" network, reaching 20 Latin American nations.
1945: VOA Post-War Changes
By the end of World War II in 1945, the VOA had 39 transmitters and offered services in 40 languages. About half of the services, including Arabic, were discontinued, and the VOA was transferred to the U.S. Department of State.
1945: VOA Moves to State Department
In 1945, VOA became a function of the State Department.
1947: VOA Broadcasts to Soviet Citizens Begin
The VOA initiated broadcasts to Soviet citizens in Russia in 1947 to counter Soviet propaganda directed against American leaders and policies.
1948: Charles W. Thayer Heads VOA
In 1948, Charles W. Thayer became the head of the Voice of America.
1948: Smith-Mundt Act Restriction
The Smith-Mundt Act of 1948 prohibited VOA from broadcasting directly to American citizens.
April 24, 1949: Soviet Union Jams VOA Broadcasts
On April 24, 1949, the Soviet Union began jamming the Voice of America (VOA) broadcasts in response to VOA's transmissions into Soviet territory.
1949: Foy Kohler Becomes VOA Director
Foy Kohler became director of the VOA in 1949.
January 1, 1950: Arabic Service Resumes
On January 1, 1950, Voice of America's Arabic service resumed broadcasting with a half-hour program.
August 1952: Billy Brown's Show Begins
In August 1952, high school student Billy Brown began hosting a popular Monday night program on VOA, sharing stories from his life in Yorktown Heights, New York.
1952: Kohler's Leadership at VOA
During his time as VOA director, Foy Kohler argued that the organization's reach, as evidenced by listener numbers and letters, indicated its positive impact in the fight against communism. He used the VOA's influence in key events like the UN's condemnation of communist actions in Korea to prove its effectiveness.
1952: VOA Uses Coast Guard Cutter for Broadcasting
In 1952, the Voice of America began utilizing a converted U.S. Coast Guard cutter, the Courier, as its first mobile broadcasting ship.
March 1953: McCarthyist Accusations Against VOA Dropped
Following a month of court hearings in February and March 1953, accusations against VOA by Senator Joseph McCarthy and others were dismissed.
May 1953: Billy Brown's Show Ends
In May 1953, Billy Brown's show on VOA ended due to its unexpected popularity and the high cost of responding to listener mail.
1953: VOA Joins USIA
VOA was placed under the U.S. Information Agency in 1953.
1953: Analysis of Listener Letters at VOA
In 1953, an analysis of listener letters sent to VOA showed varying effects of broadcasts across different countries and age groups, indicating the influence of VOA broadcasts.
1954: VOA Headquarters Move
Around 1954, the Voice of America's headquarters were relocated from New York to Washington D.C.
1955: VOA Jazz Hour Begins
In 1955, the Voice of America launched the Jazz Hour, a program that would broadcast American jazz music worldwide until 2003.
1956: Suez Crisis Boosts Arabic Programming
During the 1956 Suez Crisis, the Arabic service of Voice of America significantly expanded its programming to 14.5 hours daily.
1956: VOA Broadcasts During Hungarian Revolution
During the Hungarian Revolution of 1956, the Voice of America's broadcasts became a subject of controversy due to their perceived role in influencing the events.
1956: VOA Targets South Africa
In 1956, Voice of America initiated a nightly two-hour broadcast aimed at South Africa, featuring special programs such as The Newport Jazz Festival.
1958: Arabic Service Maintains Expanded Programming
By 1958, the Voice of America's Arabic service maintained a daily broadcast schedule of six hours, following its expansion during the Suez Crisis.
1959: Commissioning of VOA Principles
VOA Director Henry Loomis commissioned a formal statement of principles in 1959.
1960: End of Mobile Broadcasting Ship Era
By 1960, the period of using the Coast Guard cutter Courier as a mobile broadcasting ship for the Voice of America came to an end.
1960: Issuance of VOA Principles
The VOA principles were issued as a directive in 1960 by Director George V. Allen.
1962: Endorsement of VOA Charter
USIA director Edward R. Murrow endorsed the VOA principles in 1962.
1963: Bethany Relay Station Upgrades
Around 1963, the Bethany Relay Station underwent major upgrades, including the construction, upgrade, and rebuilding of shortwave and medium-wave transmitters.
1963: VOA Covers "I Have a Dream" Speech
The Voice of America covered Martin Luther King Jr.'s historic "I Have a Dream" speech in 1963.
1966: Edward R. Murrow on Jamming of VOA
In 1966, Edward R. Murrow highlighted the extensive efforts and financial resources employed by the Soviet Union to jam VOA broadcasts.
1969: VOA Covers Moon Landing
In 1969, the Voice of America broadcast Neil Armstrong's first steps on the Moon to a vast global audience.
1973: Soviet Jamming Ceases
In 1973, as part of the Cold War détente, the Soviet Union stopped jamming VOA broadcasts.
1974: Ethiopian Revolution
The Ethiopian Revolution took place in 1974, significantly impacting the political landscape and influencing subsequent events related to the VOA Amharic Service.
1976: China Ends Jamming of VOA
By 1976, China ceased its long-standing practice of jamming VOA broadcasts.
1976: VOA Charter Signed
In 1976, U.S. President Gerald Ford signed the VOA charter into law.
1976: VOA Charter and Firewall
The VOA Charter, establishing a "firewall" for journalistic integrity, was put in place in 1976.
1979: Soviet Jamming Resumes
In 1979, the Soviet Union resumed jamming VOA broadcasts.
September 1980: VOA Broadcasts to Afghanistan
In September 1980, the Voice of America began broadcasting to Afghanistan in Dari.
1981: VOA Opens Beijing Bureau and Begins Rebuilding Program
In 1981, the Voice of America initiated a major rebuilding program to enhance its broadcasting capabilities and also established a bureau in Beijing, China.
1982: VOA Broadcasts in Pashto and Exchanges with Radio Peking
In 1982, Voice of America began broadcasting to Afghanistan in Pashto and started regular exchanges with Radio Peking.
1982: VOA Amharic Service Launched
The VOA Amharic Service began broadcasting in 1982 with a mixed staff of former Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Party members and US-educated personnel.
1983: End of Martial Law in Poland
By 1983, the period of Martial law in Poland came to an end, during which VOA had expanded its Polish broadcasts.
1985: VOA Europe Created
In 1985, VOA Europe was established as a specialized English-language service, broadcasting across Europe via satellite.
1986: Shift in VOA Amharic Service Staffing
By 1986, the VOA Amharic service saw a shift in its staffing composition and a focus on reporting critical of the Derg regime.
1986: VOA Amharic Service Opposes TPLF/EPRDF
From 1986 to 1996, the VOA Amharic Service's reporting was largely opposed to the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) and the Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF), which came to power in 1991.
1989: VOA Expands Chinese Programming
In 1989, the Voice of America increased its Mandarin and Cantonese programming to reach a wider audience in China and cover the pro-democracy movement.
1990: VOA Transmission Facility Upgrades Conclude
By 1990, VOA concluded a period of significant upgrades to transmission facilities in several countries.
1990: US Establishes Bureau of Broadcasting
In 1990, the United States government established the Bureau of Broadcasting to consolidate its international broadcasting activities.
1991: TPLF/EPRDF Takes Control of Ethiopia
In 1991, the TPLF/EPRDF assumed control of Ethiopia, marking a significant political shift and impacting the VOA Amharic Service's reporting.
1993: Clinton Administration Proposes Funding Cuts
In 1993, the Clinton administration proposed cutting funding for Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, leading to discussions about the role of international broadcasting in the post-Cold War era.
1994: International Broadcasting Act Signed
In 1994, President Clinton signed the International Broadcasting Act, establishing the International Broadcasting Bureau and the Broadcasting Board of Governors to oversee U.S. international broadcasting efforts.
1994: VOA Offers Programs Online
In 1994, the Voice of America became the first broadcast news organization to provide continuously updated programs on the Internet.
1994: Reinforcement of VOA Firewall
Laws passed in 1994 reinforced the VOA Firewall.
1994: Bethany Relay Station Closes
The Bethany Relay Station in Ohio ceased operations in 1994 after 50 years of service. The site was converted into a recreational park and now includes a Voice of America museum.
1996: VOA Horn of Africa Service Becomes "Ungovernable"
Between 1996 and 1998, the VOA Horn of Africa Service faced internal conflicts and a lack of professionalism, becoming effectively "ungovernable."
January 1997: VOA Europe Closes
In January 1997, VOA Europe ceased operations as a cost-cutting measure.
November 20, 1998: Annette Sheckler Fired from VOA
Annette Sheckler, head of the VOA Horn of Africa Service, was fired on November 20, 1998, officially for "lack of professional journalistic ethics," after raising concerns about bias and unprofessionalism within the service.
December 1998: Annette Sheckler Becomes Head of VOA Horn of Africa Service
In December 1998, Annette Sheckler assumed leadership of the VOA Horn of Africa Service.
1998: Foreign Affairs Reform and Restructuring Act
In 1998, the Foreign Affairs Reform and Restructuring Act was enacted, leading to significant changes in the organization of U.S. international broadcasting, including the establishment of the BBG as an independent agency.
July 4, 1999: VOA Express Revamps to VOA Music Mix
On July 4, 1999, VOA Express was revamped and relaunched as VOA Music Mix.
October 1, 1999: BBG Becomes Independent Agency
On October 1, 1999, the Broadcasting Board of Governors (BBG) became an independent federal agency as mandated by the Foreign Affairs Reform and Restructuring Act.
1999: VOA Placed Under BBG
After the USIA was abolished in 1999, VOA was placed under the Broadcasting Board of Governors (BBG).
2000: Kurdish Life Criticizes VOA's Impact on Kurds
In 2000, the publication Kurdish Life criticized VOA's service in Iran, alleging it negatively impacted Kurds, exacerbated conflicts, and promoted extremism.
2002: Arabic Service Replaced by Radio Sawa
In 2002, the Voice of America's Arabic Service was replaced by Radio Sawa, a new radio service focusing on popular music and news bulletins.
2003: VOA Jazz Hour Ends
In 2003, the Voice of America's long-running Jazz Hour program came to an end.
February 14, 2004: Alhurra Launch
On February 14, 2004, the Voice of America's (VOA) Arabic Service expanded its reach to television with the launch of Alhurra.
May 16, 2004: VOA TV Launch
Worldnet, the US government's international English language TV service, merged with VOA to become "VOA TV" on May 16, 2004.
April 2, 2007: VOA Interviews Abdul Malik Rigi
On April 2, 2007, VOA's Persian-language service interviewed Abdul Malik Rigi, leader of Jundullah, a militant group. This interview drew condemnation from the Iranian government.
July 2008: End of Russian Radio Programs
VOA discontinued its radio programs in Russian in July 2008.
September 2008: End of Hindi and Other Language Services
In September 2008, VOA ended its Hindi-language service after 53 years, along with broadcasts in Ukrainian, Serbian, Macedonian, and Bosnian to focus resources on broadcasting to the Muslim world.
2008: VOA in Kosovo
In 2008, VOA began operating in the Republic of Kosovo.
September 2010: Start of Sudan Broadcasts
VOA initiated radio broadcasts in Sudan in September 2010 to provide free information amid growing US interests in South Sudan.
2010: Abdul Malik Rigi Executed
In 2010, Abdul Malik Rigi, who was interviewed by VOA in 2007, was executed in Iran.
2012: Peter Heinlein Leads VOA Horn of Africa Service
Peter Heinlein took charge of the VOA Horn of Africa Service from 2012 to 2014.
February 2013: VOA Accused of Instigating Self-Immolations
In February 2013, China Central Television aired a documentary accusing VOA of instigating self-immolations through its broadcasts. VOA denied these accusations.
March 2013: VOA Radiogram Launch
VOA launched the experimental program VOA Radiogram in March 2013 to transmit digital text and images via shortwave radio.
2013: Peter Heinlein Reports Concerns
Peter Heinlein documented his concerns about the VOA service in 2013, highlighting issues such as the blurring of roles between translators and journalists.
2013: Smith-Mundt Act Amendment
The Smith-Mundt Act was amended in 2013, allowing VOA to broadcast to American citizens.
July 1, 2014: Further Transmission Cuts
On July 1, 2014, VOA cut most of its English transmissions to Asia and shortwave transmissions in Azerbaijani, Bengali, Khmer, Kurdish, Lao, and Uzbek.
October 2014: Current Time TV Launch
RFE/RL launched Current Time TV, a Russian-language television channel, in October 2014.
November 1, 2014: VOA1 Rebrands VOA Music Mix
On November 1, 2014, VOA Music Mix was rebranded as VOA1.
2014: VOA Website and Broadcasts
As of 2014, the Voice of America (VOA) website offered five English-language broadcasts, including worldwide, Learning English, Cambodia, Zimbabwe, and Tibet. Additionally, the VOA website provided content in 48 foreign languages.
2014: End of Peter Heinlein's Leadership
Peter Heinlein concluded his leadership of the VOA Horn of Africa Service in 2014.
2015: Mixed Reactions to VOA's DEEWA Radio in Pakistan
In 2015, VOA's DEEWA Radio in Pakistan received mixed reactions, with some listeners expressing suspicion of an American agenda while others found it empowering.
2015: Matthew Schuck's Employment at The Daily Surge
Matthew Schuck worked as a staff writer at The Daily Surge until 2015, after which he became an aide for President Trump.
January 2016: Jeff Shell Deportation
In January 2016, Jeff Shell, Chairman of the Broadcasting Board of Governors, was detained and deported from Moscow upon arrival, despite having a valid visa.
2016: Further Reinforcement of VOA Firewall
Additional laws passed in 2016 further strengthened the VOA Firewall.
2016: VOA Audience Growth
In 2016, the VOA reported a weekly audience of 237 million listeners worldwide.
January 2017: VOA Tweets Raise Concerns About Politicization
Following President Trump's inauguration in January 2017, VOA tweets seemingly supporting Sean Spicer's statements on crowd size and media bias sparked concerns about the politicization of VOA.
February 7, 2017: 24/7 Current Time Broadcasting
Current Time began broadcasting around the clock on February 7, 2017.
April 19, 2017: VOA Interview with Guo Wengui Cut Short
On April 19, 2017, a live interview with Chinese tycoon Guo Wengui on the VOA Mandarin Service was abruptly terminated by VOA leadership after Guo made allegations of corruption against high-ranking Chinese officials.
June 2017: VOA Radiogram Ends
VOA Radiogram ended in June 2017.
June 25, 2017: Shortwave Radiogram Begins
A follow-on show, Shortwave Radiogram, began transmission on June 25, 2017.
December 2017: VOA Designated as "Foreign Agent" in Russia
Following a new law in December 2017, Russia designated VOA as a "foreign agent."
2018: Pakistani Authorities Block VOA Website
Pakistani authorities blocked the website of VOA's Pashto and Urdu language radio service in 2018.
2018: Shift in VOA's Stance on Ethiopian Government
The VOA's stance towards the Ethiopian government shifted in 2018 following a meeting between Negussie Mengesha and Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed.
April 10, 2020: White House Criticizes VOA's COVID-19 Coverage
On April 10, 2020, the White House published an article criticizing VOA's coverage of the coronavirus pandemic. Internal emails revealed a CDC press official discouraged interviews with VOA contributors.
June 3, 2020: Michael Pack Confirmed as USAGM Head
On June 3, 2020, Michael Pack, a close ally of Steve Bannon, was confirmed as head of the US Agency for Global Media, leading to resignations at VOA and a potential leadership shakeup.
June 2020: Joe Biden Vows to Fire Michael Pack
In June 2020, then-presidential candidate Joe Biden's campaign stated that Biden would dismiss Michael Pack if elected.
July 20, 2020: District of Columbia Attorney General Files Suit Against Michael Pack
On July 20, 2020, District of Columbia Attorney General Karl A. Racine initiated a lawsuit against Michael Pack under the District's Nonprofit Corporations Act to reverse Pack's replacement of the Open Technology Fund (OTF) board.
August 12, 2020: USAGM Officials Removed
On August 12, 2020, several senior USAGM officials, including the chief financial officer and general counsel, were removed from their positions, reportedly for opposing what was termed "gross mismanagement."
August 2020: Pressure on Open Technology Fund (OTF) and Establishment of USAGM's Office of Internet Freedom
In August 2020, the Open Technology Fund (OTF) faced increasing pressure from Michael Pack and USAGM leadership due to OTF's hesitation to provide grants to Falun Gong-related organizations. USAGM also established its own Office of Internet Freedom with less restrictive grant requirements.
November 2020: Court Ruling Against Michael Pack
In November 2020, US District Court Judge Beryl Howell ruled that Michael Pack had violated the First Amendment rights of Voice of America journalists.
December 2020: Pack's Actions and Appointments at VOA
In December 2020, Michael Pack was reported to be resisting cooperation with President-elect Biden's transition team. He also made several controversial appointments, including Robert Reilly as Acting Director of VOA, Ted Lipien as head of RFE/RL, and Jeffrey Scott Shapiro as head of the Office of Cuba Broadcasting. Pack also reportedly attempted to secure longer contracts for his appointees.
2020: Investigation of USAGM Employees and OTF
In 2020, it was revealed that Michael Pack had hired the McGuireWoods law firm to investigate USAGM employees and the OTF, bypassing government investigators, at a cost of over $2 million. A second law firm was also contracted, raising concerns about potential violations of federal regulations.
January 11, 2021: Removal and Reinstatement of Patsy Widakuswara
On January 11, 2021, VOA interim director Robert Reilly removed veteran reporter Patsy Widakuswara from the White House beat after she questioned Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. Following protests and calls for reinstatement, Widakuswara was returned to her position after President Biden requested Michael Pack's resignation.
January 2021: Setareh Derakhshesh Sieg Terminated and Reinstated
Setareh Derakhshesh Sieg, director of VOA's Persian News Network, was terminated for falsifying credentials and misusing funds, but was reinstated hours after President Biden took office in January 2021.
May 2021: Allegations of Bias against VOA's Amharic Service
In May 2021, several former VOA employees accused the Amharic service of exhibiting bias towards the Abiy Ahmed government during the Tigray War, including neglecting to report on committed atrocities. Journalist Jason Patinkin resigned, claiming VOA had "sided with the perpetrators" of potential crimes against humanity.
June 2021: Roskomnadzor's Complaint Against VOA
In June 2021, Russian authorities complained that VOA refused to comply with the "foreign agent" law.
2021: Launch of 52 Documentary
VOA launched "52 Documentary," a series of weekly films, in 2021.
June 30, 2022: Turkey Blocks VOA Website
On June 30, 2022, Turkey's media watchdog blocked VOA's website for not having the required license, a move VOA criticized as potential censorship.
November 2022: VOA Reaches 326 Million Adults Weekly
As of November 2022, the Voice of America (VOA) reported reaching a global audience of 326 million adults every week across its various platforms.
2022: VOA Statistics
By 2022, the VOA had an annual budget of $267.5 million, employed 961 staff members, and reached a weekly global audience of approximately 326 million.
April 2023: Twitter Labels VOA as "Government-Funded"
In April 2023, after Elon Musk's acquisition of Twitter, VOA was labeled "government-funded", a designation VOA criticized for misrepresenting its editorial independence.
May 2023: Yolanda Lopez Banned from Russia
Russia banned acting VOA chief Yolanda Lopez from entering the country in May 2023.
August 2023: Turkey Blocks Another VOA Website
In August 2023, Turkey blocked another VOA website domain, prompting VOA to share instructions on using VPNs to access its content.
September 2023: Yolanda Lopez Resigns
Yolanda Lopez, acting director of VOA, resigned in September 2023 amid an investigation into the Setareh Derakhshesh Sieg case.
October 7, 2023: Controversy over VOA Guidance on Hamas Attack Reporting
Following the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, VOA issued internal guidance on reporting, sparking controversy and Congressional budget cuts for its parent organization, USAGM, after criticism from some Republican members of Congress.
June 12, 2024: House Committee Finds Evidence of Corruption
On June 12, 2024, the House Foreign Affairs Committee concluded there was "credible evidence of corruption" related to Setareh Derakhshesh Sieg, former director of VOA's Persian News Network, despite her reinstatement and transfer after President Biden took office.
July 2024: Michael Abramowitz Appointed Director
Michael Abramowitz became the director of VOA in July 2024.
December 2024: Kari Lake Announced as Future Director
President-elect Trump announced Kari Lake as the future director of VOA in December 2024.