Build on BBG Reach and Impact within the Muslim World
Radio Free Afghanistan Interviews Secretary of State Clinton

In an exclusive interview with Radio Free Afghanistan on Nov. 19, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton expressed guarded optimism about Afghan President Hamid Karzai’s promises to take steps to eradicate corruption. During the interview, which took place just before Karzai’s inauguration in Kabul, Clinton stated that Karzai’s pledge to create a major crimes tribunal, reinvigorate Afghanistan’s anti-corruption commission, and ask government officials to list all of their assets “demonstrates good faith on President Karzai’s part.”

Alhurra airs “Americans”

Alhurra launched new episodes of the popular documentary series Americans on Dec. 4. Americans took an extensive look at the rich history of Arab-Americans through a five-part series focusing on Arab-Americans and their lives in the United States. The series highlighted their immigration and integration into American society. It included interviews with prominent Arab-Americans such as Congressman Charles Boustany, retired General John Abizaid, actress Kathy Najimy, pollster John Zogby and former Secretary of Health and Human Services Donna Shalala. The series concluded with a Town Hall Meeting held in Dearborn, Mich., where Arab-Americans will discuss their lives and the issues facing their community. The program was hosted by Mohamed Mokhtari.

BBG Condemns Jamming of VOA's PNN and RFE/RL's Radio Farda

The Broadcasting Board of Governors condemned the latest efforts to interfere and censor the free flow of objective news and information to the Iranian people. By monitoring satellite signals, BBG's technical experts determined that there has been and continues to be intermittent intentional jamming of satellite transmissions of the Voice of America's Persian News Network and Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty's Radio Farda.

VOA Covers Obama Speech on Afghanistan
President Obama’s speech at West Point was carried live on all VOA satellite channels, with English radio and television simulcast coverage of the speech as well as online live streaming and on demand availability Extra shortwave frequencies were secured for English radio coverage in East Asia, South Asia and Africa. Radio Ashna (in Dari and Pashto to Afghanistan), Deewa Radio (in Pashto to the border region between Afghanistan and Pakistan), Urdu radio (to Pakistan), Spanish radio and TV, and Creole radio broadcast the speech live with simultaneous translation. VOA’s White House correspondent Kent Klein reported on the address and Pentagon reporter Al Pessin filed a reaction piece based on comments by a broad spectrum of military analysts. The Capitol Hill correspondent Cindy Saine filed on the reaction of Democratic and Republican leaders, and London correspondent Sonja Pace reported on European reaction to the address.

The morning after the speech, VOA’s Urdu Radio reported on the first official reaction from the government of Pakistan, which “noted the important announcement,” stressed its commitment to uprooting terrorism, agreed that terrorism extends well beyond the region, and welcomed President Obama’s reaffirmation of the partnership between the U.S. and Pakistan. The Urdu Service also interviewed with Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, focusing on the speech. The Russian Service devoted a separate section of its Web site to the speech including a Russian translation of the speech as well as a summary of its key points. All content relating to the speech was prominently advertised on Yandex.Direct, Russia’s largest keyword advertising service. The Swahili Service received text message reaction from listeners, some praising Mr. Obama’s decision, others saying that President Obama is doing exactly what President George Bush did. VOA Mandarin had live and on-demand audio and video stream on its Web site. VOA Indonesian provided television reports in interactive programs with affiliates.