[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 121 (Monday, September 14, 1998)]
[House]
[Pages H7655-H7657]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
PROMOTING INDEPENDENT RADIO BROADCASTING IN AFRICA
Mr. BEREUTER. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to
the resolution (H. Res. 415) to promote independent radio broadcasting
in Africa
The Clerk read as follows:
H. Res. 415
Whereas Africa's numerous ethnic groups, with an estimated
2,000 languages and dialects, have long been isolated from
each other;
Whereas radio is the primary means of transmitting vital
information in Africa and linking African populations;
Whereas poverty, illiteracy, and logistical difficulties
make television and the print media less utilized means of
communication;
Whereas radio is not only compatible with Africa's oral
traditions, but has the added benefit of being affordable and
adaptable;
Whereas African radio stations generally are owned and
operated by governments, which being aware of radio's power
often deny or delay applications for proposed independent
radio stations, harass officials or staff of independent
radio stations, or close independent radio stations;
Whereas 53 independent journalists in Africa have been
killed over the past 8 years, 42 other journalists were
imprisoned last year alone, and hundreds of others have been
threatened, harassed, or even physically assaulted;
Whereas standards of journalistic professionalism often are
low in Africa, which causes problems of accuracy in reporting
that often lead governments to overreact and apply repressive
legal remedies against the media, including radio broadcasts;
Whereas biased government radio broadcasts have promoted
ruling parties and limited coverage of opposition political
parties, while inhibiting the free flow of information
necessary for citizens to effectively exercise their
electoral choices, thus undermining democracy;
Whereas the promotion of independent ownership of local
radio operations in Africa is a useful tool for advancing the
United States foreign policy objective of promoting democracy
and human rights;
Whereas the phenomenon of ``hate radio'' has fueled
genocide in countries such as Rwanda, in which an estimated
half million persons were killed in a largely ethnic purge in
1994;
Whereas surrogate broadcasting, which consists of locally
generated news on issues of local concern, has been well
demonstrated as a vehicle to promote democracy and human
rights in repressed regions and countries throughout the
world;
Whereas the Voice of America has designed the ``Radio
Democracy for Africa'' project to create a surrogate radio
operation throughout Africa to promote democracy and human
rights; and
Whereas the African Growth and Opportunity Act calls for
the United States Information Agency to use its broadcasts to
promote economic reforms in addition to its current promotion
of political reforms: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
(1) supports the creation and operation of the Voice of
America's surrogate radio project known as ``Radio Democracy
for Africa'' which includes journalist training and
journalist exchange components;
(2) urges the United States Information Agency to expand
its economic, political, and human rights programming in
Africa to support indigenous efforts aimed at promoting
democratization, human rights, economic development, and good
governance;
(3) calls on the Agency for International Development to
adopt a comprehensive strategy for the promotion of free and
independent African media, especially radio, by supporting
journalist and other media training programs, assisting in
the development
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of African media associations, facilitating the creation of
African news gathering and delivery networks, and encouraging
the use of radio as an educational medium on a variety of
topics, including but not limited to democracy, human rights,
and economic development;
(4) calls on the United States Government to encourage
local and foreign investment in independent local radio
operations in Africa;
(5) urges the United States Government to make freedom of
speech and the safety of journalists a priority in
discussions with African governments on democracy and human
rights;
(6) encourages the United States Government to use all
reasonable means to help safeguard the operation of
independent radio stations and the legitimate activities of
journalists in African countries; and
(7) urges the United States Government to support and
assist the development of mechanisms and institutions for the
protection of independent journalists and to discourage the
now frequent use of draconian laws and government policies
inhibiting freedom of speech in Africa.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Nebraska (Mr. Bereuter) and the gentleman from California (Mr. Lantos),
each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Nebraska (Mr. Bereuter).
(Mr. BEREUTER asked and was given permission to revise and extend his
remarks.)
General Leave
Mr. BEREUTER. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members
may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their
remarks on this measure.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Nebraska?
There was no objection.
Mr. BEREUTER. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
H. Res. 415, a resolution supporting the development of Radio
Democracy for Africa, was sponsored by the gentleman from California
(Mr. Royce). This resolution promotes independent radio broadcasting in
Africa through the Voice of America. It calls for VOA to provide
journalistic training and for USIA to expand its economic, political
and human rights programming in Africa to support indigenous efforts
aimed at promoting democratization.
The administration supports this enhanced broadcasting effort in
Africa and VOA is working to get expanded programming on the air. This
is an appropriate use of international broadcasting funds. Many African
nations are struggling for peace and democracy. Hopefully the efforts
encouraged by this resolution will put into force a strong and
comprehensive international broadcasting program throughout the African
continent to assist emerging democracies.
I commend my colleague who will speak soon, the gentleman from
California (Mr. Royce) for his initiative and for that of my other
colleagues in offering this resolution.
Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. LANTOS. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
First let me commend our colleagues, the gentleman from California
(Mr. Royce) and the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Menendez), chairman
and ranking member respectively of the Subcommittee on Africa of the
Committee on International Relations, for crafting this most important
resolution. I strongly support this resolution.
The resolution calls for our government to lend support to free media
in Africa through a number of avenues, including the creation of a
Voice of America project adopting a comprehensive assistance strategy
to have free media in Africa.
At the present time, Madam Speaker, VOA broadcasts 87\1/2\ hours
weekly to Africa in 10 different languages. This measure calls to
expand this program both in terms of its quantity and its coverage. My
expectation is that as a result of this effort, media freedom will be
strengthened in a number of countries in Africa. We need to assist the
countries of Africa to develop mechanisms and institutions that protect
the independence of journalists and discourage laws and government
policies that inhibit the freedom of the press, which unfortunately is
the state of affairs in far too many countries of that continent.
The Voice of America historically has played a significant role in
bringing news and information, free and unbiased to the African
continent. I particularly commend the authors' foresight in calling on
the United States Government to support efforts by the people of Africa
to build their own free and independent African media and to assist
them in their efforts to promote democracy, human rights, economic
development and good government.
I urge the adoption of this resolution.
Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. BEREUTER. Madam Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to
the gentleman from California (Mr. Royce) in support of the resolution.
Our colleague from California has brought invigorated leadership to the
Subcommittee on Africa. His sponsorship of this legislation, along with
the cosponsorship in original form by the gentlemen from New Jersey
(Mr. Menendez) and (Mr. Smith), are examples of the leadership he has
brought to American foreign policy with respect to Africa.
Mr. ROYCE. Madam Speaker, today radio broadcasting in much of Africa,
as in other places in the world, is dominated by governments which
operate national radio stations and all too often frustrate independent
radio stations.
African governments, those that are repressive, do this because air
wave control is real power, the power to control the information that
their citizens receive. Radio's power is particularly great in Africa
where poverty and logistical difficulties have made radio Africans'
primary source of information. Televisions are few and far between in
many African countries, and newspapers are largely confined to the
cities. Radios, though, in Africa reach everyone. Radio's power is also
why African governments often frustrate the licensing of independent
radio stations and harass and brutalize and at times even kill
independent radio journalists.
As long as this situation prevails, as long as some African
governments can shape how their citizens think and feel about their
country and their lives, many of the achievements we are hoping to see
African countries make, like greater democracy, the protection of human
rights, economic development, will be frustrated.
This resolution brings attention to the importance of radio
broadcasting in Africa as a means of realizing these goals, and it
lends support to an important administration initiative, Radio
Democracy for Africa.
Radio Democracy for Africa is designed to increase surrogate radio
broadcasting to Africa through the Voice of America. Surrogate radio,
the process by which local journalists broadcast to their countrymen
about local issues with foreign support, has proved to be effective in
promoting the values of freedom and democracy. This was the case behind
the iron curtain during the Cold War. It is the case in parts of Asia
today.
Africa should not be an exception. We should support greater
independent radio broadcasting in Africa and that is what this
resolution does. Fostering independent radio broadcasting in Africa is
all the more important given the specter of genocide by hate radio.
Uncontested hate broadcasts contributed to the 1994 genocide in Rwanda
that claimed more than half a million lives. Ominously hate radio
broadcasts are being heard again in Central Africa.
{time} 1345
While U.S.-supported surrogate radio, that is, radio to help break
government monopolies on information, does not guarantee against
brutality, it can help combat it. A greater American effort to allow
Africans to hear alternative views, views supportive of democracy and
reconciliation, is desperately needed. It is my hope that Radio
Democracy for Africa will be a start.
This House Resolution also calls for the U.S. to provide diplomatic
and technical support to independent radio in Africa, all within
existing budgets. It also encourages journalistic exchanges. Greater
professionalism by Africa radio journalists is needed. This resolution
also asks the administration to focus on the protection of African
radio journalists, many of whom show tremendous bravery. The committee
to Protect Journalists has brought to life the life-threatening
conditions that
[[Page H7657]]
many African journalists face. This resolution asks that these brave
men and women be supported in their struggle.
I ask my colleagues to support this resolution, and, Madam Speaker, I
thank my colleague, the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Robert
Menendez), and the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Smith) for their
support as coauthors.
Mr. BEREUTER. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume to commend the gentleman for his exceptional statement and his
initiative.
Mr. GILMAN. I rise in support of H. Res. 415, a resolution supporting
the development of Radio Democracy for Africa. Through this resolution,
we are encouraging VOA to promote independent radio broadcasting
throughout Africa. A free and independent media is a cornerstone to
democracy development. The VOA has a solid reputation in Africa, and
field visits to several countries by the Director of VOA underscored
the importance and interest in receiving journalism training.
Developing an indigenous core of journalists coupled with more targeted
VOA programing will help build an independent media and provide
objective news sources.
Support for democracy must be a major policy objective in Africa.
International broadcasts and media development in the region serves
this vital policy direction.
This resolution demonstrates Congressional support for the enhanced
program efforts by the VOA. At a time of continued unrest in certain
African countries, a comprehensive broadcast and training program is
the right thing to do at the right time.
Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H. Res.
415, to promote independent radio broadcasting in Africa. I am proud to
be one of the original cosponsors of this resolution introduced by my
friend, Mr. Royce, the Chairman of the Subcommittee on Africa.
Radio is probably the most important mass communications medium in
Africa, a continent plagued by numerous conflicts and crises. Radio is
the primary means of transmitting vital information between African
populations. It has the potential to do much good--both as a source of
independent, accurate news, and as a catalyst for humanitarian,
democratic, and economic progress. Unfortunately, it also has been
subject to abuse. As many here will recall, ethnic ``hate radio''
fanned the flames of the 1994 genocide in Rwanda, which claimed upwards
of half a million lives.
The freedom, independence, and professionalism of African radio are
becoming increasingly important to the future prospects of that
continent. Thus, House Resolution 415 makes clear that this House
supports surrogate broadcasting and the training of African journalists
through the Voice of America's ``Radio Democracy for Africa'' project;
urges the expansion of USIA's economic, political, and human rights
programming in Africa to support indigenous programming in those areas;
urges the Agency for International Development to adopt a comprehensive
strategy to promote free and independent African media; and urges the
United States Government to support freedom and independence for
African radio journalists through several means, such as foreign
investment and inter-governmental dialogue.
I encourage all my colleagues to support this important resolution.
Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H. Res.
415, ``A Resolution Promoting Independent Radio Broadcasting in
Africa.'' I support this bill for several reasons. First, radio is the
primary forum of transmitting information in Africa. The African
continent is paralyzed by poverty, illiteracy, and logistical
difficulties making television and print media a less effective means
of communication. This resolution seeks to promote and enlarge this
vital link of communication to the African continent.
For the most part, African radio stations are controlled and managed
by the governments in these African nations. These governments are
aware of the power and influence which radio stations project in the
region. In Rwanda, the power of radio was used to fuel the genocide in
1994. Governments in Africa, fearing the power of radio, will often
deny or delay applications for proposed independent radio stations.
African governments will harass officials or staff of independent
stations, or close stations which openly disagree with the government's
policy. In the last eight years numerous journalists have been
imprisoned and even killed.
Given the power of radio and the interference displayed by African
governments, the House should support the creation and operation of the
Voice of America's surrogate radio project known as ``Radio Democracy
for Africa.'' This project is vital in our continuing efforts to
promote democracy and human rights.
During the President's recent trip to the African continent, the
President expressed a willingness to increase America's political and
economic ties on the continent. This resolution will encourage
democratization, human rights improvement, and economic development
through the medium of radio.
This resolution will call on the U.S. government to encourage local
and foreign investment in independent local radio in Africa. It will
also make the improvement of unbiased and effective radio communication
a priority in discussions with African governments.
This Congress should pass House Resolution 415 and support all
efforts to improve media communications on the African continent.
Mr. LANTOS. Madam Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I
yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. BEREUTER. Madam Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and
I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mrs. Morella). The question is on the motion
offered by the gentleman from Nebraska (Mr. Bereuter) that the House
suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 415.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor
thereof) the rules were suspended and the resolution was agreed to.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
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