The Foreign Service Journal, January 2004

had during recent events with your timely news,” an Iranian e-mailed the station during the pro-democracy protests in the summer of 2003. In addition to Farda, the VOA radio network continues to offer objective news and information through its AM, Internet and shortwave broadcasts, which Iranians have enjoyed for over 30 years. Radio Farda and VOA’s Persian- language Web sites attract nearly a million visitors every month. Television is popular in Iran — 90 percent of Iranians say they get their news that way — so VOA has developed a range of TV products beamed to Iran by satellite. “News and Views,” a daily 30-minute show, offers com- prehensive news and expert commentary about events inside and outside Iran. “Roundtable with You” is a week- ly 90-minute, call-in program that allows viewers and lis- teners to speak directly with prominent figures regarding politics, social issues, and entertainment. And “Next Chapter” provides the younger Iranian generation a week- ly sample of fresh cultural fare — including the latest in sports, technology, fashion, Hollywood films, and car reviews. It also profiles the daily lives of young Iranian- Americans. Afghanistan is another important broadcasting area. VOA had strong listenership for its Dari- and Pashto-lan- guage broadcasts during the Taliban era, when as many as 80 percent of the country’s men tuned in. (Women were not permitted to own radios.) So in January 2002, just a fewmonths after the Taliban fell, RFE/RL launched Radio Free Afghanistan. Together, the services form a single, 24/7 stream of news and information. Shortwave was the only medium in the past, but the BBG has installed high-powered, 400-kilowatt AM trans- mitters in Kabul to give the programs nationwide reach. The BBG also gave an AM transmitter to the Afghan gov- ernment. Meantime, engineers are installing FM trans- mitters in cities around the country. Training is a key component of the Afghan initiative. With money from the State Department and the U.S. Agency for International Development, BBG has trained more than two dozen journalists, coaching them on how to cover events involving politics, health and education in a F O C U S J A N U A R Y 2 0 0 4 / F O R E I G N S E R V I C E J O U R N A L 23 Home Suite Home The next time you’re going to be in DC for an extended stay, make yourself at home at Georgetown Suites. With our discounted monthly rates and large, comfortable suites, you’ll feel right at home. Plus we’re near the State Department. Call today! Georgetown Suites the fun place to stay in DC 1-800-348-7203 www.georgetownsuites.com sales@georgetownsuites.com