Restore Voice of America & Radio Free Asia, Tibetan groups urge US agency
A coalition of 146 Tibetan organisations worldwide has made an urgent appeal to the US Agency for Global Media (USAGM) to fully restore the Voice of America (VOA) and Radio Free Asia (RFA) Tibetan language services. These broadcasts represent a critical lifeline for millions of Tibetans in Tibet, living under the Chinese Communist Party’s oppressive regime, offering an indispensable source of uncensored information in a region ravaged by state-sponsored media blackout, the Tibetan organisations have said.
Tenzin Yangzom, campaign coordinator at the International Tibet Network, says, “The shutdown of Radio Free Asia and the suspension of the Voice of America’s Tibetan broadcasts are not just about lost news but also about cutting off a vital lifeline of Tibetans living under occupation. For millions, the VOA and the RFA aren’t just sources of information, they are a lens to the world, offering hope, truth and a reminder that they’re not forgotten. We urge the US Agency for Global Media to restore these broadcasts without delay, showing the people of Tibet and the world that America stands firm in its support for freedom, truth and human dignity.”
Lobsang Yangtso, Asia Regional Coordinator at the International Tibet Network, says: “The strategic importance of the VOA and the RFA Tibetan broadcasts cannot be overstated. For decades, they have served as a vital pillar in countering Beijing’s narrative and preserving Tibetan language and cultural identity in the face of relentless assimilation policies. Discontinuing these services not only isolates Tibetans but also weakens the international community’s understanding of the true situation in Tibet. Restoring these broadcasts is not just about providing news, but also about safeguarding a people’s right to their own story and holding the China accountable for its actions.”
The letter underscores the alarming reality that the elimination of these services directly emboldens the Chinese government, dismantling America’s strategic efforts to combat disinformation and champion human rights in Tibet. These broadcasts serve as a potent counter force to the Communist Party of China’s relentless propaganda, exposing the harsh realities of life under its iron-fisted rule and bolstering the resilience of Tibetans in their unwavering pursuit of freedom.
The global Tibetan movement calls upon the USAGM to act with immediate urgency and reinstate comprehensive Tibetan language programming at the VOA and the RFA. This decisive action is imperative to uphold America’s foundational commitment to freedom of expression and demonstrate unwavering solidarity with the Tibetan people in their struggle for survival and self-determination, they say.
Himachal Tribune