Tuning Up the Voice

The Voice of America is going to get stronger with a $1.5-billion modernization-and-expansion program now being implemented.

Contracts have already been negotiated to construct transmitters where they have not been located before--in Costa Rica and Belize in Central America and in Thailand in Southeast Asia. Two other nations, Sri Lanka in South Asia and Morocco in North Africa, have signed new agreements for improvement of old facilities. Still pending are negotiations with a number of other nations, including Israel.

Over the next six years the Voice intends to double the power of 100 existing shortwave transmitters. In addition the agency plans to create an extensive medium-wave service in the Caribbean and Central America. The medium-wave transmitters in Belize and Costa Rica are the first of 11 or 12 new facilities proposed for the region to offer service that listeners can receive with standard radios. Shortwave service also will be maintained in the region.

Facilities in Israel are intended to improve transmissions to the Soviet Union. The Israel facilities would not be used for broadcasts to Arab nations--to avoid any misunderstanding, officials have noted. A controversial element of the proposal for a transmitter in Israel is the suggestion that it be shared by Radio Liberty, another U.S. government-funded broadcast service but one with a different point of view. The Voice of America tells the story of the United States, with extensive news and features, its political commentary labeled and kept separate from the news. Radio Liberty carries news about the Soviet Union, providing the service that a free local radio station would provide if such ventures were permitted by the Soviet government. Inherent in its mode of operation is more propaganda and the use of news items that are not always fully confirmed. Radio Liberty does not have the same credibility as the Voice. Until now they have never shared transmission facilities. Maintaining a clear distinction between the services in the minds of listeners is important.

The modernization-and-expansion plan is a good one--too long in coming. In a world of competitive ideas and information it is important to have effective communication. The first requisite is accurate, dependable, respected news-and-feature programming. The trust of the listening audience is essential. But the best of programming is handicapped when transmission signals are weak, erratic, too vulnerable to jamming by those who, like the Soviets, try to control what their people know.