President Bush has marked the 60th anniversary of the Voice of America with an address praising VOA efforts to deliver a message of truth and freedom to its global audience.

(VOA photo - L. Lindberg)

Mr. Bush began his remarks with a reference to VOA's first broadcast just after the United States joined World War II in February 1942, when announcer William Harlan Hale said the war news may be good or bad, but VOA will always tell the truth.

The president said VOA has added to the momentum of freedom and speaks strongly in this new time of conflict. Mr. Bush says VOA has played a vital role in helping to rebuild Afghanistan by increasing its broadcasts to the region since the September 11th terrorist attacks.

President Bush delivered his speech at VOA headquarters in Washington. All or part of the presidential message will be translated into 52 foreign languages for broadcast and publication on the Internet.

Mr. Bush says VOA will continue to use new technologies to get its message to the world. Today, VOA programs - on radio, television and the Internet - reach over 90 million people each week.

VOA's broadcasting charter guarantees journalistic independence. The charter is a 1976 federal law that requires VOA to broadcast news that is accurate, balanced and comprehensive.

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