Stamp Marks 25th Anniversary Of Voice Of America

Press, Volume CVII, Issue 31382, 30 May 1967, Page 20

Stamp Marks 25th Anniversary Of Voice Of America

The United States will issue a special fivecent stamp commemorating the twentyfifth anniversary of the Voice of America

(V.0.A.), the radio service of the United States Information Agency, on August 1, 1967, in Washington, D.C.

In ceremonies unveiling the stamp, the Postmaster-Gen-eral, Mr L. F. O’Brien, said: “During the last 25 years, who can count the millions whose lives were altered, whose views of America were revised, by these constant waves of truth reaching them through the Voice of America?”

Mr L. H. Marks, director of the United States Information Agency, said in response: “The Voice of America is dedicated to a better understanding between people everywhere, and we hope that someday there will be free and unfettered communications forming a life-line of civilisation throughout the world.”

He said the United States Information Agency has “enabled us to tell the world of American domestic and foreign policy. It has enabled us to tell what we believe, what we stand for, how we live and what our aims and aspirations may be.

“It is important today that people throughout the world understand us, and the Voice of America has been an important arm of the agency in promoting that understanding," Mr Marks added.

Mr O’Brien noted that Mr Georg Olden, designer of the V.O.A. stamp, also designed the Emancipation Proclamation commemorative stamp of 1063. That stamp “recalled that we cannot be true to ourselves without freedom,” and now the V.O.A. stamp “reminds us that only truth can make men free,” he said.

The vertical V.O.A. stamp is printed in red, blue and,black on white paper. It pictures sound emissions from a radio transmission tower. The waves are alternately red and blue, the tower is black. At the upper left is the designation, “Voice of America,” in black. The word “of” is of a lighter shade of black. At the lower left is the denomination “5c,” in blue. At the lower right is the inscription “U.S. Postage” in red.

The V.O.A.’s initial broadcast was in German on February 24, 1942. In its infancy the service beamed regularly scheduled radio programmes to Europe, in four languages: English, German, French and Italian. Today from its studios in Washington, D.C., it broadcasts some 800 hours a week in 38 languages.

Probably the Voice of America’s most - important duty is to explain United States policies through news analyses and commentaries as well as by special broadcasts by the President, the Secretary of State, and other top officials. It also presents opposing views in order to present a full picture of a situation.

Foreign visitors to the United States such as government officials, teachers, students, artists, scientists and businessmen are heard frequently on V.OA. broadcasts, describing their reactions to America for the benefit of their fellow countrymen.

Significant developments in different parts of the world also are reported on V.O.A. broadcasts.

Domestically, every important phase of United States life is covered by the Voice, including education, labour, the economy, agriculture, politics, science, culture and community relations.

“Music U.5.A.,” which presents the best in American jazz and popular music, has proven to be one of the Voice’s most popular single series during its 13 years on the air.

The V.0.A., through its world-wide English Service, is aiming to communicate with the more than 1000 m persons in the world who speak English as a second or third language. On these broadcasts, English is spoken slowly and deliberately so that learners can easily follow it.

In recent months, the Voice has introduced the “new sound” in many of its programmes. This involves an informal mixture of world news, features, music, weather reports and comedy in each block of programming.

Over the years, V.O.A.’s transmitter strength has increased from a few transmitters in the United States to an international network of about 100 at eight domestic and 10 overseas locations.

The master control at V.O.A. headquarters can choose programme material from 100 sources and handle 26 programmes at one time.— TTS.I.S.