USAGM launches 24/7 satellite TV channel for Burma to counter military censorship
The U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM) announced this week that two of its public service media networks — the Voice of America (VOA) and Radio Free Asia (RFA) — have joined forces to create a new 24-hour video channel for audiences in Burma. The channel, available on two different direct-to-home TV satellites covering Burma, is in response to the Burmese military’s shutdown of independent media and its intermittent blocking of mobile phone service and internet since the military’s February 1 coup.
“The new 24/7 channel from VOA Burmese and RFA Burmese Services continues our networks’ long history of providing independent, unbiased news,” Acting USAGM CEO Kelu Chao said.
The channel, called “Ludu Meitswe,” which means “Friend of the People,” will be available on two different direct-to-home TV satellites, also known as Ku-band. The first, on Eutelsat 70B channel 101, began its “soft launch” June 1, with full network service beginning June 6. The second satellite, Thaicom 6, will begin carrying Ludu Meitswe on July 1.
“USAGM’s new video channel will allow more people in Burma to see the content that VOA and RFA routinely deliver in an increasingly dangerous reporting environment,” Chao said.
When Burma’s military overthrew the country’s elected government on February 1, audiences there flocked to VOA and RFA Burmese to stay informed. In the first 24 hours after the coup, the VOA Burmese Service chief’s live, in-studio analysis on Facebook received 5.7 million video views, and a Skype discussion with a Burmese rights activist received 2.6 million views. The service’s website broke a VOA record with 1.2 million views that day. RFA’s evening news show, which is broadcast simultaneously on shortwave radio and livestream video for social media, had a total of 10.1 million views and 1.5 million engagements on February 1, the day of the coup.
And that was just the beginning. Since early February, VOA’s Burmese Service has broken the network’s record four more times, reaching as many as 1.7 million visits in one day on May 26. Since the coup there have been 67 million site visits to both services’ websites and apps. Compared to the 71 days prior, that is an impressive 90% increase. Prior to the coup, in December 2020, USAGM networks reached nearly 35 percent of Burma’s adult population in a typical week, delivering content by radio, TV, and the internet.
“VOA is excited to team up with RFA on this new 24/7 satellite channel to provide the latest developments to millions in and around Burma who otherwise might not have access to trustworthy, independent news,” Acting VOA Director Yolanda López said.
“With local independent media either shuttered or outlawed, it’s ever more important that the Burmese people have access to timely information and news. This satellite channel will help to ensure that,” RFA President Bay Fang said.
Voice of America reaches a global weekly audience of more than 354 million people in 49 languages. VOA programs are delivered on satellite, cable, shortwave, FM, medium wave, streaming audio and video and more than 2,350 media outlets worldwide. It is funded by the U.S. Congress through USAGM. About VOA
About RFA
Radio Free Asia is a private, nonprofit corporation broadcasting and publishing online news, information, and commentary in 9 East Asian languages to listeners who do not have access to full and free news media. RFA’s broadcasts seek to promote the rights of freedom of opinion and expression, including the freedom to “seek, receive, and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers.” RFA is funded by an annual grant from USAGM.