Congress must reject penny-wise but pound-foolish plans to endVoice of America's shortwave broadcasts into increasingly aggressiveand hostile China, which is expanding its own propaganda operationstargeting Americans.
The projected $8 million savings aren't worthwhile in light ofthe value of those broadcasts to U.S. interests -- and to those mostdependent on them.
To pro-democracy opponents of Chinese rule in Tibet and westernXinjiang province -- where Internet access lags compared toelsewhere in China -- VOA shortwave is an unfiltered-news lifeline.
Online efforts that VOA wants to expand can't possibly make upfor shortwave's loss.
Particularly with China's state CCTV beefing up its U.S. staffand outlets, this shouldn't be an "either/or" proposition.
Indeed, Voice of America should expand its Internet presence --witness online media's role in Egypt -- but not at the expense ofshortwave, which has proven its value in China since 1942.
Washington must use all possible means to convey truth to thoseoppressed in China, America's most worrisome rival.
Congress must signal to Beijing that America is not acquiescing.The VOA's shortwave broadcasts to China must not be silenced.
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