Voice of America

Voice of America, broadcasting service of the United States Information Agency, est. 1942. Originally set up as a means of fighting the cold war, the Voice of America produces and broadcasts radio programs in English and foreign languages to other countries in order to promote a favorable impression of life in the United States. Programming includes news reports from correspondents on the scene and analysis of events from Washington, D.C., presentation of conflicting views on topical issues, feature programs, and music. The Voice of America, WORLDNET television services, and the Office of Cuba Broadcasting (Radio Martí and TV Martí) are overseen by the International Broadcasting Board of the United States Information Agency.

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Voice of America

Radio broadcasting network of the U.S. government. Its function is to promote understanding of the U.S. and spread democratic values. Its daily broadcasts include news reports, editorials, and discussions of U.S. political and cultural events. Its first broadcast, in German, took place in 1942 to counter Nazi propaganda. By the end of World War II, it was broadcasting 3,200 programs in 40 languages every week. During the Cold War it focused its message at the communist countries of eastern and central Europe. It became part of the U.S. Information Agency when that agency was formed in 1953.