Published by: World Tibet Network News, 96/04/01 23;00 GMT

Forwarded by: DEBRA@OLN.comlink.apc.org (Debra Guzman)

Washington, D.C., March 28, 1996 -- At a time when Tibet remains largely cut off from the rest of the world, the Voice of America's Tibetan Service this week observed its fifth anniversary of broadcasting to the Tibetan people. The Service is one of only two international broadcasters to air Tibetan-language programming. The broadcast began in 1991 with a fifteen-minute program. Today, the Service's staff produces and airs two one hour shows daily.

Through VOA Tibetan, the Tibetan people are able to hear uncensored news about Tibet and the world, neither of which are available through the country's Chinese-controlled internal media.

During a 1995 visit to the Voice of America, the Dalai Lama told VOA that its broadcasts in Tibetan are "vital medicine" for the Tibetan people. The Service regularly covers the activities and travels of the Dalai Lama because they are of great importance to Tibetan listeners.

Despite jamming and possible harsh consequences to listeners, travellers to and from Tibet and a number of letters smuggled out of the country attest that VOA Tibetan-language broadcasts remain popular, even among Communist party officials.

VOA's Tibetan Service received an award last year from the Tibetan Youth Congress for providing "a valuable contribution in enlightening the Tibetan people about the events of the outside world." The commendation went on to say that "over the years, the VOA has become the household name for Tibetans both inside and outside Tibet. This itself shows how much value people attach to the VOA's role and contribution."

The Voice of America is the international radio service of the U.S. Information Agency, broadcasting almost 900 hours a week in English plus 46 other languages.

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