Posted on: Monday, October 15, 2001

Editorial
Voice of America must not be for propaganda

The U.S.-led war on terrorism is being fought on many fronts, including the propaganda battle.

Our fight on the global battlefield of terrorism and in Afghanistan is as much a battle for the hearts and minds of the Afghan people and the larger Muslim world as it is to rout out Osama bin Laden and the Taliban.

But we must be careful in how we go about broadcasting our message. There are drumbeats in Washington to use the Voice of America as part of that propaganda war. That would be a huge mistake.

The Voice of America, a product of the effort to deliver reliable news to countries torn apart by World War II and then those behind the Iron Curtain, has over the years built a reputation as an objective forum for a range of ideas. It serves America's interest by delivering credible truth to places where that is rare.

Radio is a valuable tool on the propaganda front. But we shouldn't squander the value of what the VOA has come to mean to its listeners. This lack of bias means it is taken seriously in the countries we want to reach. None of their citizens will be deceived if broadcasts are distorted or biased.

There is a role for advocacy, but another broadcasting voice other than the VOA is essential for that propaganda effort. If we wish to create a "Radio Free Afghanistan," so be it.

Over the years, we have worked hard to make the Voice of America a standard-bearer for democracy and the freedoms we cherish. We cannot now distort the things we stand for by making the VOA a one-sided mouthpiece.