Radio Free Asia: Background, Funding, and Policy Issues

Publication Date: July 1999

Publisher: Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

Author(s):

Research Area: Government; Media, telecommunications, and information

Type: Report

Coverage: United States United States

Abstract:

In response to some Asian countries' human rights violations and to promote democracy in countries such as China and North Korea, the Administration and the 103rd Congress agreed that the United States should increase broadcasting to this part of the world. The International Broadcasting Act of 1994, title III of the Foreign Relations Authorizations Act of 1994/95 (P.L. 103-236), created the Broadcasting Board of Governors (BBG) under the U.S. Information Agency (USIA) and authorized the Board to make grants available to conduct surrogate broadcasting services (referred to as Radio Free Asia or RFA) to the People's Republic of China, Burma, Cambodia, Laos, North Korea, Tibet, and Vietnam.