Oslo - VOT, Feb 6: Voice of Tibet (VOT) is extending its Tibetan short wave radio service to 30 minutes programmes seven days a week, starting from Tuesday 28 January. Since May 1996 a 15 minutes programme in Tibetan has been aired five days a week, Monday through Friday, containing Tibet related news and information.

As a result of surveys carried out in the target area the programmes starts 45 minutes later in the evening than the previous 15 minutes service, now starting at 8:30 pm Beijing time / 6:00 pm Indian time on metre band 41. The new service is already reported to be highly appreciated in Tibet as well as in India and Nepal.

Voice of Tibets main objective is to provide uncensored Tibet related news and information to the Tibetans in Tibet, laying particular stress on issues like Human Rights, Culture and Tibet related news. The extended service enables VOT to improve the coverage of news and events from the Tibetan exile communities, Support Groups and other Tibet related initiatives throughout the world.

All engaged organisations and individuals are therefore encouraged to provide VOT with news from events and initiatives taking place (or planned) in their region, it be in writing through fax/e-mail or through telephone (for transmission of recorded dispatches or telephone interviews VOT calls up).