Radio Stations Share Mission of Accuracy

“An Honest Radio Voice” (editorial, Oct. 11) says that the Voice of America is charged with providing “accurate, objective and comprehensive” news, while Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty is involved with “frank advocacy” and “tell[ing] the story Washington’s way.” In fact, VOA, RFE/RL and Radio Free Asia--all of the stations that operate under the supervision of the Broadcasting Board of Governors--are required to provide precisely the kind of accurate and objective news your editorial suggests is the province of VOA alone.

There are, however, important differences between the stations. The Voice of America is responsible for explaining America to the world. RFE/RL and Radio Free Asia function as surrogate services to countries that lack a free press. As surrogates, RFE/RL and Radio Free Asia provide accurate and balanced information about developments that most affect the peoples we broadcast to. VOA and RFE/RL and Radio Free Asia play complementary roles, but whatever differences there are in our missions, there is no difference in our commitment to being accurate, objective and comprehensive.

Thomas Dine

President, RFE/RL

Washington