VOA: Do not censor the voice of the voiceless

| July 23, 2011

Now there are
disturbing revelations that dictator Meles Zenawi in Ethiopia has been trying to secretly   arm-twist and remote-control the VOA  into  by blacklisting his critics in the U.S. and
elsewhere and  denying them access to the
VOA. A 41-page document posted
online shows  a not-so-subtle
attempt by Zenawi to identify and muzzle critics who
gave interviews on the VOA. The document purports to be a complaint about the
bias of certain VOA reporters, but the subliminal message is clear. If the VOA
continues to give airtime to certain viewpoints and individuals, Zenawi’s regime will continue to jam VOA broadcasts. The
implicit deal (quid pro quo) offered is that the electronic jamming
 will stop if Zenawi’s
critics are banished from VOA microphones permanently.

Zenawi may try to conceal his blacklist as a
complaint of bias. But we understand his message to the VOA loud and clear. But
we should also send our own crystal clear message to the VOA:

I. We will
hold the VOA accountable to its own journalistic standards (“Audiences ‘ Bill of Journalism Rights” ) as set forth in the Voice of
America’s Journalist Standards & Practices (document 11-023 and 11-024). We
remind the VOA to meet its solemn obligations to its audience and respect their
 

right to expect that(VOA)  journalists will monitor power and give voice
to the voiceless. The press should use its watchdog power to uncover things
that are important and new and that change community thinking… The press should
monitor all the key centers of power in the community-including but not limited
to government.

II. We
expect a thorough, complete and fair investigation of the allegations in the
41-page “complaint” and release of the findings within a reasonable time. We
expect to review and comment on the outcome of the investigation and the
specific findings.  

III. We
shall remain vigilant for any evidence of viewpoint censorship, editorial
policy changes to exclude issues and individuals deemed critical of the ruling
regime or leaders of the regime in Ethiopia, patterns and practices calculated
to limit, prevent or otherwise systematically exclude pro-democracy voices from
VOA broadcasts.

IV. We
shall remain prepared to defend our constitutional rights of free expression against
a foreign government acting on its own or jointly and severally with any other
private or governmental entity.

V. Just as
the VOA has a duty to become a voice for the voiceless, on July 24, 2011, the
VOA has a duty to listen intently to the voices of the voiceless who will appear to register their concerns.

The vast
majority of Ethiopians in the U.S. are fully supportive of the VOA and its
mission. We have great respect and admiration for the professionalism and
integrity of VOA journalists, reporters, editors and management. Above all, we fully
support the VOA for being a beacon of not only information and knowledge for
the people of Ethiopia, but also a voice of democracy, human rights, moderation
and reconciliation.