January 1st marks the 55th anniversary of the Voice of America’s Bangla Service.
January 1st marks the 55th anniversary of the Voice of America’s Bangla Service. Bangla is one of 43 languages in which VOA broadcasts to the world and carries out the requirements of its charter.
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VOA Bangla Service 55th Anniversary
The VOA Charter mandates that VOA will serve as a consistently reliable and authoritative source of news – news that is accurate, objective and comprehensive. VOA is required to represent American society, thought and institutions in a manner that is comprehensive and balanced. And VOA is required to present the policies of the United States and responsible discussion and opinion on these policies.
The dedicated journalists of VOA Bangla Service meet these requirements through its half-hour daily radio programs on medium and short wave, through two international news programs per day carried through FM affiliates; through its weekly television presentations carried via affiliates; and through its Bangla Service web page and social media, including Facebook and Twitter.
The United States established diplomatic relations with Bangladesh in 1972. U.S.-Bangladesh relations are excellent and reflect the two countries’ strong bonds of shared values. VOA Bangla is an important link between the American people and the people of Bangladesh. Through its multi-media platforms, VOA Bangla Service provides Bangladeshis with a unique perspective on America and America’s perspective on Bangladesh. Bangla Service fan clubs in Bangladesh, India, Malaysia, the Middle East, Japan, and throughout the diaspora attest to the popularity and significance of the VOA Bangla.
“VOA’s Bangla Service has come a long way since its first broadcast to East Pakistan and West Bengal on the first of January, 1958 – some 23 years before Bangladesh became a country,” said VOA Director David Ensor.
In a message to millions of Bangla listeners, TV viewers and WEB and Facebook visitors, Director Ensor noted, “All of us at VOA adhere to the motto: ‘the news may be good, the news may be bad, we shall tell you the truth.’ And we adhere to our VOA Charter. . . to bring you, our audience, objective news and information. That’s what our Bangla Service has been providing you for the past 55 years, and that’s what we pledge to provide you in the future. . .on radio, the web, Facebook, Twitter, and our five weekly TV programs.”
