Radio programs articulate US values to the global community

[SOURCE: The Christian Science Monitor, AUTHOR: John Hughes, former director of Voice of America]
[Commentary] We are engaged in a war against terrorism that, since 9/11, President Bush has warned will be long. It requires force of arms but is also a war of ideas. With the lands of Islam as the heartland of this war, it is understandable that the focus of institutions like Voice of America, whether the message be delivered by satellite television, or shortwave, or FM radio, should be directed at them. Sadly this means that language services beamed elsewhere are being cut or abandoned, so that broadcasting to Iran and the Arab countries of the Middle East in their own languages can be increased. One of the casualties is English- language broadcasting to many parts of the world (except Africa). This is unfortunate because even in countries whose native language is not English, English is often the language used by the elite and the leadership, who are especially desirable targets for VOA's programming. If the war of arms against terrorists is likely to be long, so is the war of words. As we have seen in Iraq, the terrorists have mastered the most modern technology for disseminating their message. We must look beyond the suicide bombers of today, who may be beyond reason. We must reason with the next generation now undergoing brainwashing in the madrassahs, or schools of the Islamic lands. Nor can the US ignore the rest of the world. Even America's friends must not be taken for granted. They, as well as foes, must hear American policies explained, and America's values and principles reasserted. In these challenging times, America's voice to the world should be strengthened, not diminished.
http://www.csmonitor.com/2006/0222/p09s02-cojh.html