New rebroadcasting outlets for VOA in Pakistan and Somaliland.

"The Voice of America (VOA) is expanding its reach across Pakistan. A new arrangement with Pakistan Broadcasting Corporation (PBC) now allows VOA to broadcast Pashto language programs on medium-wave (AM) radio and Urdu broadcasts on FM stations for the first time. ... VOA's Deewa Radio, a Pashto language service for people in the Afghanistan-Pakistan border region, is now available on medium wave (AM) at 540 kHz from a transmitter in Peshawar, the capital of Pakistan's North West Frontier Province. ... For the first time, VOA’s Urdu language program Radio Aap Ki Dunyaa (Your World) (www.VOANews.com/Urdu) will be heard on the FM band. A 30-minute morning program at 0900 and a 30-minute evening program at 1800 will air on 11 FM stations across Pakistan, including Islamabad and Lahore." VOA press release, 13 October 2009. The 540 kHz transmitter is listed at 300 kilowatts. Will RFE/RL's new Radio Azadi service in Pashto for the Afghanistan-Pakistan border region (see previous post) also have access to this transmitter?
     "The Voice of America launched a new radio station in the Somalia breakaway region. ... VOA Hargeisa 88.0 will air 24 hours of VOA programs daily. The broadcast stream includes three and half hours of news and features from VOA’s Somali service along with popular English news, discussion and music programs such as World News Now, Daybreak Africa, Hip Hop Connection and Music Mix." VOA press release, 14 October 2009. Posted: 15 Oct 2009 Permalink Print