The Washington, D.C. based Voice of America has announced that it is launching the first-ever TV program in Tibetan (outside of Tibet) from March 23, 2005. Called Talk to VOA, this will be a weekly live TV program broadcast every Wednesday from 9:00 am to 10:00 am (Eastern Standard Time) i.e. from 10:00 pm to 11:00 pm in Tibet and from 7:30 pm to 8:30 pm in India. Viewers and listeners in Tibet and China can call toll free on 10810 (wait for a voice message and then dial) 866 837 5159. Those in the Indian subcontinent can call collect at (202) 619 3774 to participate in the program.

According to the announcement, “Talk to VOA features a newscast, world news reports, and a call-in segment where viewers can discuss major topics of the day. The one-hour Tibetan-language program will be broadcast on television via satellite, shortwave radio, and the Internet in real time.” This program will be broadcast on Channel 370 on Asiasat 2 network.

Following is the full text of a VOA media advisory.

March 18, 2005: At 9:00 a.m. on Wednesday, March 23, the Voice of America (VOA) will debut Talk to VOA, the first regular TV program offered to Tibetans apart from those produced by broadcasters within the People’s Republic of China. The new, live Tibetan-language television program will be broadcast every Wednesday.

Media interested in observing the inaugural broadcast should contact the Office of Public Affairs at 202-401-7000 or email [email protected].

Date: Wednesday, March 23, 2005
Time: 9 AM to 10 AM
Place: Voice of America, Wilbur J. Cohen Building, 330 Independence Ave., SW. C Street entrance(near the Federal Center Southwest and L’Enfant Plaza Metro Stops)

Talk to VOA features a newscast, world news reports, and a call-in segment where viewers can discuss major topics of the day. The one-hour Tibetan-language program will be broadcast on television via satellite, shortwave radio, and the Internet in real time. The Asiasat 2 network will carry the television portion of the program.