III.I: Multi-Media
Accelerate Multi-media Development, Infusing More TV and Internet into the Mix Other Information:
Radio will remain the backbone of our communications. However, for some broadcast languages, TV and the Internet have strong
roles to play as well. The power of images is such that most people around the world now use television as their primary source
of news. This is true even in countries where the medium is state-run, and therefore censored. A February, 2002 poll found
that 39 percent of Russians consider TV news biased, yet TV remains the primary information source for most of the population.
At the same time, the Internet is assuming an ever-increasing role of information-provider as it spreads across the globe.
A recent Chinese national survey found that 43 percent of Chinese who regularly access the Internet now use it as their primary
information source. All of this has negatively affected international radio audiences. The answer is not to fight the problem,
but to recognize the solution.· Appropriate Television – VOA has seen significant audience impact in several key markets through
television broadcasts – the Balkans, Iran and Indonesia. We can and will do more with TV where market realities demand this
and where resources permit. The first step is to cement the establishment of VOA-TV from the former WORLDNET.· Higher Quality
Web Presence – We have seen spotty progress towards the goal of having all language services create high quality news-oriented
websites. Some are outstanding. The content of others is thin in content and visually uninteresting. Bottom line: We will
ensure that all the entities have world-class Internet presences.
Indicator(s):
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