TRANSCRIPT:
What makes Voice of America unique in respect to American concerns is that it’s a pathway for others around the globe to have an appreciation and understanding of American values. And when I speak of these values, we could talk about the Bill of Rights and what’s enshrined in our Declaration of Independence, but I think fundamentally what many around the world believe about Americans is that we have a very firm sense of what fair play is, what is fairness.
And what Voice of America does for so many is reassure them that this is indeed the case. That Americans do have an understanding of what justice means and they’re able to get this in real time. And I think that’s what so many around the world want to hear and believe from America, that despite our imperfections, that we are still a beacon of light and one that does give truth as a place that they can turn in an increasingly confusing world.
And that I think very much speaks to the concerns of many Americans, that Voice of America can serve as a bridge builder with those around the world and whom we don’t want to find ourselves in conflict. Voice of America says, “No, you’re wrong. There is another story here and this one is the truth.” And I believe that Voice of America continuing to do so is going to remind people that the United States is still here on the global stage and we are not what some would argue, which is weak. Rather what we are doing is we are still showing up.
And I think VOA striking a balance between the sort of meta of what’s happening, but giving that voice to individuals, helps us and helps the listeners around the world understand what is a genuine history.
Published
Richard Kraemer is co-founder and board president of the U.S.-Europe Alliance and a former senior program officer for Afghanistan, Iran and Turkey at the National Endowment for Democracy. He is widely published in the U.S. and internationally on malign foreign interventions in the politics, economies and infrastructure in Western Balkan and Black Sea states.