United States Agency for Global Media

Legislation

VOA Charter

Public Law 94-350

Passed Congress/Enrolled Bill: July 12, 1976.

Ninety Fourth Congress of the United States of America

At the Second Session

S. 3168

AN ACT

To authorize fiscal year 1977 appropriations for the Department of State, the United States Information Agency, and the Board for International Broadcasting, and for other purposes.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled. That this Act may be cited as the “Foreign Relations Authorization Act, Fiscal Year 1977”.

VOICE OF AMERICA BROADCASTS

206Title V of the United States Information and Educational Exchange Act of 1948 is amended by adding the following new section:

503The long-range interests of the United States are served by communicating directly with the peoples of the world by radio. To be effective, the Voice of America must win the attention and respect of listeners. These principles will therefore govern Voice of America (VOA) broadcasts:

1VOA will serve as a consistently reliable and authoritative source of news. VOA news will be accurate, objective, and comprehensive.

2VOA will represent America, not any single segment of American society, and will therefore present a balanced and comprehensive projection of significant American thought and institutions.

3VOA will present the policies of the United States clearly and effectively, and will also present responsible discussions and opinion on these policies. (Public Law 94-350)