Starting a Dialogue with “Citoyens Journalistes”

Using Phones to Engage the Congolese people

Wivine, new citizen journalist from Likasi, DRC

During October 2011, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Bart Childs assisted in training local coordinators for the “Citoyens Journalistes” (Citizen Journalists) program. A VOA social media project using Facebook and Twitter, the initiative is funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and seeks to engage everyday people on matters important to them. The program employs a small device that many people around the world take for granted – the cell-phone.

The ten coordinators Childs trained then trained 100 other citizens, who were each given a phone with Internet capability and taught to effectively post and hunt for information using social media. In return for receiving the phones, these 100 individuals are to post video, audio, or text at least once a week and those with French skills were avidly recruited. Rather than reporting on hard news, says Childs, their aim is to open a dialogue amongst the people. Phones make this dialogue possible because of their accessibility; Internet cafes within the country are often difficult and expensive to use, while phone coverage is relatively stable and widespread.

Voter identity card is checked during the November 28, 2011 elections

Childs says there are vastly more participants who, along with these 100, post on Facebook and Twitter about such topics as violence in the Eastern Congo and the travel trails of presidential candidates competing in the election. Pleasantly surprised by the response, Childs says the program has so far been a success. “I didn’t expect people to be so interested,” says Childs. “I was floored when I found out how enthusiastic they were.” He notes that the current Minister of Information, Lambert Mende, declared himself a fan of the Facebook group. Mende has stated that “Citoyens Journalistes” will “help the world discover the Congo [as place known for] other than its more or less alarmist, often negative and pessimistic connections.” The program, however, remains aimed at the average person, and Childs makes it a point to state that even the salesman he bought coverage from became a citizen journalist.

Childs didn’t only buy the coverage in the Congo – he says the phones were bought there as well. Still, buying the phones in-country didn’t mean the practical setup of “Citoyens Journalistes” was simple. Despite the enthusiasm of the participants and the government’s tolerance, the logistical complexities of setting up such a program in Central Africa were numerous. For example, the program not only had to deal with bureaucratic complexities of setting up such a program in Central Africa, but also the occasional struggle with loading monetary credits onto phones. Childs acknowledges still other obstacles, such as physically getting and distributing the money needed to keep the phones running, as the banks within the DRC are notoriously unstructured.

Despite these challenges, Childs expresses great hope in the possibilities of further expansion, given that only two months have passed for the eighteen month project. Though he is no longer as involved as he was at the outset, he expects to visit the DRC in the future. After all, the project is gaining traction: “I’m still amazed by how fast it grew,” says Childs.

An Inside Look at VOA’s “Science World”

An outlet for curiosity

Rick Pantaleo has always been fascinated by science. As he puts it, “I’m not a science expert – I’m just curious!” Host of Science World, a 25-minute radio show, Pantaleo is able to fulfill his curiosity while covering news that also sparks the imagination of his audience. The 25-minute radio show goes more in depth than its blog counterpart, but both examine stories that may have been touched upon in VOA health, science, and environment news stories. Though Pantaleo says he enjoys researching these stories, his favorite part is the one-on-one interviews with science experts. Ever enthusiastic about what he covers, whether it is new findings on neutrinos or the effects of heavy metal music on young adults, Pantaleo says, “I want to basically share my curiosity with my audience.”

Rick Pantaleo

Given his passion for discovery, it comes as no surprise that, when host Art Chimes departed what was then known as Our World, Pantaleo successfully competed for the job. The program was rechristened Science World in the April of 2011, when Pantaleo also developed a blog by the same name to complement the show. 

Though he takes pleasure in his work, the fact that the show and blog are ultimately for the audience is never far from Pantaleo’s mind; he is always thinking about their point of view. “My target audience is anyone who is halfway interested in science – from someone like me to anyone who is more experienced,” says Pantaleo. Determined to make stories both intriguing and informative for his listeners and readers, Pantaleo says he works most of the time on his own. “I’m mostly a one-man team – to me the Internet is the best tool. I just scan through lots of information, whether it is VOA articles or university studies.” Pantaleo also comes up with interview ideas based on the research he does every day.

Nonetheless, Pantaleo says he couldn’t put together a good show for his listeners and readers without his editors and producer. Eric Felten, editor of the radio program, and Dora Mekouar, editor of the Science World blog, are indispensable, as is his producer, Bob Doughty. Pantaleo compares Science World to a meal: “It’s like I do the shopping and pick the recipes,” he says, “but then I have Eric, Dora, and Bob to help me prepare a really nice dinner.”

A Look Inside VOA’s Tibetan Service

Providing a platform for conversation

Since 1991, VOA’s Tibetan Service has been more than “just another media outlet” for the people of Tibet. Plagued by ongoing human rights abuses, economic disenfranchisement and religious and ideological conflict with China, Tibet is a region in dire need of balanced, reliable news sources in the Tibetan language.

VOA Service Chief Losang Gyatso explains, “Tibetan audiences are starving for any content in their language. VOA’s Tibetan Service is one of the only sources in the Tibetan language where Tibetan people can get news about the world, the United States, and the Tibetan region itself.” The service was begun in 1991, when it was created by a congressional mandate. Losang joined the Service as chief in 2007.

The Hornblower 3 (Acrylic on Canvas)

Born in Tibet and raised in exile, Losang is passionately interested in the preservation of traditional culture as well as innovations in contemporary Tibetan culture. He is a well-known contemporary Tibetan artist with an extensive online studio, and an actor, appearing in Martin Scorsese’s 1997 film “Kundun.” Losang’s devotion to his native region is manifest in his leadership of the service. “One of the major problems that Tibet confronts is preservation versus innovation. For the past 50 years in Tibet, there has been so much destruction of Tibetan cultural institutions and ways of life, so there has been a huge emphasis on preserving traditional culture. But at the same time, it is vital to innovate and change. We try to include this important challenge in our discussions.”

The Tibetan Service has embraced the idea of innovation. According to Losang, “There are now more, younger Tibetans using computers with Internet access, so we need to supplement our website with more multimedia. Use of satellite dishes is also increasing.” The Chinese government spends millions of dollars creating Tibetan language content, but most of it is “fluff” such as music and soap operas, and news controlled by the Chinese government.

Gaze of Tara (Acrylic on Canvas)

Considering the difficult situation for Tibetans inside China and the lack of an equal relationship and dialogue between the Tibetan and Chinese people, the Service also has the challenging task of trying to create opportunities for dialogue between the two peoples. Losang believes that “we have a huge opportunity to create dialogue by working with VOA’s Mandarin Service, sharing programming and stories.” Most people inside Tibet are not able to be part of the dialogue about inherently controversial political topics, especially ones as important as the Dalai Lama and his upcoming succession. “People inside Tibet have been cut off from dialogue with the Dalai Lama. We have an obligation to make sure that what’s happening in the Tibetan Diaspora government and the Dalai Lama’s status is clearly understood inside Tibet, and at the same time, if there are differences of opinion amongst Tibetans on these developments, that the news is communicated.”

It is easy to see that for the Tibetan people, VOA is more than “just another media outlet.”

Another Side of VOA

A colorful way of giving back

While VOA is known for its broadcasting, it also fulfills another type of outreach role – that of supporting charities worldwide through staff donations to the Combined Federal Campaign (CFC). CFC’s success comes from the in-house volunteer organizers within each organization. They work to engage and inspire their colleagues to donate and participate through fun activities that invite involvement. At VOA, this includes bake sales, game shows, and this year – a fashion show!

The Parade of Nations Fashion Show, held on October 18, included nearly 30 Agency staff showing off traditional ethnic dress and providing a little linguistic lesson. Each model taught audience members how to say “give” in his or her language and enthusiastically introduced elements of their cultures. The audience was enthralled, and smiles flooded the seats. Meanwhile, representatives of two charities who benefit from CFC donations explained about their work: Empowered Women International told stories of how they help refugee women use their artistic talents to form small businesses, and the Make-A-Wish Foundation shared its work of fulfilling dying children’s dreams.

Vicki Brimmer, the host and the founder of this event, said it was uplifting and touching – the participants energized the auditorium!  In one brief hour, they left lasting memories. Through their parade of traditional clothing, quick wit, and dance moves, the models showed that giving knows no boundaries, that this universal verb “give” can fulfill dreams and grant wishes.

Participants from Deewa Radio are proud of the diverse culture at VOA. “We have seen diversity at the center of the event where we Pashtuns from Pakistan shared our values and culture with colleagues from Africa, Far East Asia, the Middle East, Iran, Georgia, and many more on the American continent. We are glad that we, too, loudly called on everyone to ‘GIVE’ on that special day.”

Marc Poe, from Broadcast Technologies, said “Thank you for allowing me to represent all the ‘nerds’ in the engineering department.  Despite the robot-like behavior and techno-babble speech, we have soft, squishy innards too, and believe it is important to GIVE through the Combined Federal Campaign to support our fellow humans. ”

VOA’s 44 language services not only enrich with their sound, they bring the culture, heritage and historical background of their regions that is the beauty of the Voice of America to the World!  And that is part of the very essence of the United States of America, the land of the immigrants.

Gauging success: Last year’s Agency goal was $75,000; at the end of the campaign, we had instead earned $163,218. This year’s goal is $80,000; organizers hope to once again earn much more.

Art that Transcends Time

Historic mural at VOA featured in local TV program

Although VOA is known for its reliable multimedia news broadcasting, visitors to VOA headquarters get a bonus – murals by internationally known Depression-era artist Ben Shahn.   They were recently featured on local public television station WETA’s program Around Town, a celebration and discussion of local arts.  Program panelist Peter Winant, a sculpture professor at George Mason University, visited VOA to highlight the artwork for a segment in the weekly program.

The mural, named “The Meaning of Social Security,” depicts life before and after the creation of Social Security.  “Shahn’s work spans the human condition in ways that embody different kinds of states of being for individuals, such as classes and age group,” Winant explains.  The mural contrasts dreary images of child labor, unemployment and old age with lively images of job security on opposite walls.

In the video Winant makes reference to a contract signing depicted on the West Wall.  It demonstrates how Social Security serves as a social contract.   “The mural really shows that Social Security is a two-way street.  The society is secured when the people are gainfully and purposefully working,” elaborates Winant.

In times when Social Security is a constant topic in politics Winant points out, “This is one of the powerful things about successful art: When art is functioning well, it speaks to things that transcend time.”  The work of socially-based artists such as Shahn helps guide society to a better place.

To check out the work of Ben Shahn and other artists whose work is displayed at the Wilbur J. Cohen building, visit VOA’s website.   Shahn’s work can be viewed as part of VOA’s studio tours or as the main feature of our Special Art Tour.  To come see it in person , schedule a tour with us by emailing tickets@voanews.com or calling (202) 203-4990.

What is it like to study in the U.S.?

A glimpse at college life on and off campus, through the eyes of international students

Summer, Student Union blogger

“College life here in the U.S. is not about Justin Bieber and ice cream, as you might think.” (Summer, China)

Do you want to study in the U.S.? Many members of VOA’s global audience are students who dream of studying in the United States. They want to know: “Which colleges are best for international students? How do I go about applying for college in the U.S.?” For any international student who wants to study in the United States, VOA’s Student Union Blog holds the answers to many, if not all, of your questions!

The brainchild of Jessica Stahl on VOA’s English web team, the blog was designed as “a place to connect with other current and prospective international students.” It is populated with the insight and experience of nine international and four American college students attending schools as diverse as the bloggers’ academic interests. A new crew of students writes for the blog every year, but some of the students even decide to prolong their studies and blog-writing; a testament to how they view their experiences studying in the United States.

Student Union bloggers write entries about topics ranging from what their dorm rooms look like to how to make decisions about graduate school. Although its name may suggest otherwise, the blog also covers issues outside the classroom: how movies shape perceptions on American life, how to deal with homesickness, and how to educate new friends about their native cultures.

"I was definitely looking forward to meeting diverse people from all over the world, since the US is where people from all over the world converge." -Simbarashe

While the students’ motivations to come to American universities may be different, they all face the common challenges of adjusting to a new culture, academic system and social environment. One of the most arduous of these is deciphering the often confusing language frequently encountered in American academic life—what is a “School of Education”? Student Union’s Glossary of Confusing Words stands up to the challenge, explaining such phrases in context and making everyone’s life a little bit easier.

So take a few moments to check out VOA’s Student Union blog! You will find that despite different backgrounds, students from around the world deal with similar issues and like to learn from each other. It’s a small world, after all.

Happy Birthday, VOA Special English!

Helping millions learn American English for 52 years

Steve Ember

“Welcome to This is America in VOA Special English. I’m Steve Ember. This is a three-day weekend for millions of Americans in observance of Columbus Day on Monday … ”

Around the world, millions of speakers of English as a foreign or second language are familiar with VOA Special English. Daily news and information programs are written for learners at the intermediate and upper-beginner level. The programs are read at about two-thirds the speed of regular English broadcasts on VOA.

Audience Fan Mail

VOA Special English began on October 19, 1959, as an experiment. It grew into one of the most popular English learning programs in the world, and is now attracting a new generation of students, business people, professionals and other fans. Topics range from American culture and history to world news, health, business, politics, education, environmental issues and the arts.

As VOA Special English celebrates its 52nd anniversary, what began on shortwave radio now represents a multimedia service available across all platforms. People can find transcripts and MP3s of programs at voaspecialenglish.com, podcasts on iTunes and captioned videos at YouTube. Program feeds are also available at Twitter and Facebook.  Special English texts and MP3s (but not AP or Reuters photos) are in the public domain, so publishers and teachers can freely use them.

Continuing with its innovative approaches to teaching English, VOA launched The Classroom last October. The Classroom is an e-learning platform that includes popular live lessons at Facebook at 0200, 1300 and 1500 UTC Monday through Friday.

Avi manages the website

Despite the changes Special English goes through, its mission never alters: engaging people. Avi Arditti, who manages their website, said every time he read listeners’ letters about experiences with Special English, he feels his effort is worthwhile. “It is an honor to be here, to do one of the greatest jobs in this world: sharing and broadcasting.” Can VOA Special English continue to keep tradition while adding innovation at the same time? Avi’s answer is a confident “yes!”

Tracking a Tragedy

Interactive graphic explores dimensions of Somalia famine

Somalia famine victims

When it appeared likely that the U.N. would declare a famine in Somalia, Dino Beslagic, a Web Developer with the English Branch, received an email from the Central News Desk. Matthew Baise, VOA’s English Web Managing Editor, was interested in having a VOA database set up on the crisis. Would Beslagic be interested in taking the lead?

Beslagic agreed and for the next few weeks worked on an interactive graphic, posted on September 8, which examines causes and effects of the famine in Somalia, drawing heavily on information gathered from such sources as the U.S. Geological Survey, NASA, and the United States Agency for International Development. The graphic’s main purpose is to break down the complexities of famine development into clear sub-concepts.

Creating the graphic was at times challenging. “We initially went through seven different versions and then we figured out we needed a guided approach,” says Beslagic, referring to the layout, which Baise ultimately decided on. He adds, “Some of the best feedback during the process was ‘I don’t get it.’ That really helped me figure out what worked and what didn’t.”

The graphic shows the stages of the catastrophe, beginning with Somalia’s decreasing rainfall, beginning in 2006. The graphic then moves on to demonstrate the effect of the decreasing rainfall – the resulting price spikes of key commodities. The ensuing famine is then shown, in degree of severity, across the country. Finally, constantly refreshed Twitter and news feeds keep users up-to-date with the latest Somalia news, from a wide variety of news sources.

Web Developer Dino Beslagic

Perhaps most importantly, the database examines public interest in the crisis in Somali, with a section dedicated to Google searches showing a decrease in attention. “The declaration of the famine is an event – attention will drop off,” says Beslagic. To counter this, he says, the graphic uses a combination of “old and new techniques” to delve beneath the surface of what a famine actually is. With such an overview, Beslagic hopes the emergency is given a deeper context and therefore demands more consideration from readers.

Indeed, the graphic, accessible via the VOA English News Site, seeks to promote awareness of the hardship in Somalia, but in a navigable manner.  By virtue of designing the database, Beslagic himself was struck by the magnitude of the research compiled. Working on the project often gave him an “eerie” sensation. “It’s one thing to look at a graph and [another to] then realize it brings horrible implications with it,” he concludes.

9/11: Ten Years Later

VOA’s Jim Malone and Greg Flakus reflect on Ground Zero

The morning of September 11th, 2001 VOA radio reporter Jim Malone left Washington for Ground Zero. Greg Flakus, VOA’s Mexico Bureau Chief who happened to be in Washington at the time, rushed to the State Department based on rumors of another bomb incident. The VOA Newsroom mobilized after the second plane’s collision into New York City’s Twin Towers with the staff in complete disbelief.

“Tension was everywhere,” says Malone. “I remember listening to a lot of local broadcasts and you could just hear the tension in their voices. No one could believe what had happened.”

The same overpowering feelings followed Malone and Flakus when they arrived on site. With rescue crews overstretched and family members desperate to hear of loved ones, the sights and sounds were overwhelming. Maintaining their professionalism, the two reporters fought their emotions to cover dead-end rescue efforts and avenues covered with makeshift memorials.

“There were families waiting and hoping to hear about their loved ones as rescue crews from as far away as Mexico came in,” remembers Flakus, who also traveled to New York. “They were hoping to locate loved ones who had been in the twin towers, but as the days passed it was clear that many of those missing people had been killed.”

An American flag hangs from a NY mosque

They also witnessed Americans coming together for support as people comforted each other, waiting for rescue crews to pull survivors from the rubble. A week later, New York had almost returned to normal, with people commuting to work and going about their everyday lives. That determination to carry on had been best expressed only a few hours after the attacks by historian David McCullough during an interview at George Washington University Hospital with Flakus.

“We are tough. We are resilient,” said McCullough. “We will come back. We will clean it up. We will build again. We will go to work. What we have as an open society is very valuable. It is essential. It is all the more reason to understand how we got to where we are and what other sacrifices were made to maintain an open society.”

Tell us about your 9/11 experiences – and learn about others – at our interactive online feature “What’s Your 9/11?”, and keep your eyes peeled for upcoming 9/11 features that will include its effects on intelligence planning, interactive maps, and the status of terrorism in different regions of the world.

A Worldwide Language Tool

VOA’s Special English over the decades

Since 1959, VOA’s Special English, a division of VOA’s Learning English Branch, has drawn in listeners worldwide. Today, millions of people listen to VOA Special English radio broadcasts and access its website, taking advantage of the site’s video, audio, and reading material to improve their language skills.

While the division has kept its radio programs, most VOA Special English content can be found on the online interactive Learning English site with articles and broadcasts. The site has developed within the last 10 years as Internet availability increased, inspiring VOA to push towards multimedia. From this online base, VOA Special English has expanded its worldwide reach.

Today, Special English’s largest audience is in China. With a bustling entrepreneurial environment, more Chinese want to learn English for business reasons. As a result, professionals from all backgrounds flock to the Special English site.

“Special English, as opposed to The Classroom part of the Learning English site, is geared towards people who have studied English in school. Many of them are highly educated and have professional backgrounds,” says George Grow, Managing Editor of Special English. “Special English is more news-oriented than The Classroom because the people who read and listen to our programs are not beginners.”

Aside from news, Special English also offers an in-depth taste of American life. From Aaron Copland to Chicago’s various nicknames, the division doubles as a cultural education tool that covers all aspects of American society. This allows site visitors to not only strengthen their English skills, but to also become familiar with the country itself and its traditions, like root beer and the Jeep.

The division’s goal is to provide the necessary resources to people who want to learn American English, no matter where they are in the world. With the Internet’s capabilities and a wide range of covered topics, Special English is an interesting and critical part of English language education.