Public Diplomacy Activities and Programs

• Information activities

• Education and cultural exchanges   

• International broadcasting

Information activities

• "Wireless File." Traditionally called the "wireless file" because it was orignally sent and received by radio, today it is called "The Washington File" and received at U.S. embassies on computer terminals where it arrives via satellite, cable, microwave, land line, or a combination of these.  Contents of the file include such things as full texts of official statements and speeches by U.S. officials; transcripts of press conferences and briefings by The White House, State Department, and other U.S. Government agencies as well as special features and interpretive articles.

• Speakers and Specialists. Americans representing government, business, academia, media, and community organizations conduct short-term speaking programs under State Department auspices. Most are independent academics and professionals who present their personal views and experiences.

• Professionals-in-Residence. Professional specialists in such fields as law, business, public administration, and the media spend from two weeks to several months in a country serving as advisors to non-academic institutions.

• Teleconference Programs. Through the combination of advanced technology and the telephone, speakers unable to travel are linked with audiences overseas through either voice or voice-and-video communications.

• Publications and Electronic Media. A broad range of booklets, pamphlets, brochures, and other special publications, often in multiple language editions, formerly published by USIA for distribution by USIS posts, embassies and cultural centers overseas, will now be a part of State Department programs.

• Foreign Press Centers. Foreign Press Centers established by USIA in Washington, New York, and Los Angeles provide a variety of services to more than 1,600 resident foreign journalists, along with thousands more who visit the U.S. each year on short-term assignments.

• Books and Information Resource Centers. Information Resource Centers formerly maintained by USIA and now by the Department of State, exist in many countries. Library programs in many binational cultural centers also receive support. Book programs include the translation and production of selected titles by foreign publishers. By underwriting a portion of the production costs, translated copies not only enter foreign commercial markets but copies become available for Information Resource Centers and binational center libraries, and for presentation to selected individuals and institutions

• International Radio and Television Program

Education and cultural exchanges

• The Fulbright Program of student, teacher, and scholar exchanges.

• Academic Exchanges.

• Study of the United States. By helping to establish and maintain quality U.S. studies programs in foreign universities and secondary schools, this program promotes better understanding of the United States.

• English Teaching.

• International Visitors. The I.V. program brings people to the U.S. for three-to-four week visits to meet and confer with professional counterparts and to experience firsthand the United States and its institutions.

• Citizen Exchanges. This program develops international exchange grant projects with American non-profit institutions, including voluntary community organizations, professional associations, and universities.

• Program for Building Democratic Institutions. USIA developed a variety of programs to help emerging democracies worldwide build institutions that support democratic reform. They emphasize hands-on training and the development of professional contacts.

• Performing and Visual Arts. Under this program, the vitality, diversity and excellence of American performing and visual arts are presented to audiences overseas. 

International broadcasting

• Voice of America . As the U.S. Government's international radio service, the VOA provides news and information in dozens of languages to an estimated ninety million listeners worldwide. Accuracy and objectivity are sought as mandated by the VOA Charter (Public Laws 94-350 and 103-415).

• VOA's "Affiliate" Broadcasters. Besides direct broadcasts, VOA relies on "affiliate" radio stations throughout the world to expand its listening audience. It provides programming by satellite, prerecorded tape, or phone "feed" to over 1,000 "affiliates" worldwide.

• Worldwide Television and Film Service. Television, including WORLDNET, a global television network which first telecast to other countries via satellite Nov. 3, 1983, is under the operational jurisdiction of the VOA. WORLDNET presents U.S. perspectives on important domestic and international events; explains U.S. Government policies to a global audience; and transmits a visual image of American culture, history, and scientific and technological achievements. In addition, the VOA produces television versions of some of its radio programs.

• Radio Marti and TV Marti . Radio Marti broadcast its first program May 20, 1985, as authorized by the Broadcasting to Cuba Act of 1983 (Public Law 98-111). TV Marti transmitted its first program on March 27, 1990. Directed toward Cuban audiences, both must follow VOA standards of objectivity, accuracy, and balance in accordance with the legislation which created these stations.

• Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty . Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) is a nonprofit, private corporation that broadcasts domestic news and information to Central Europe and the former Soviet Union. It receives funding from IBB's Board of Governors. Its headquarters is in Washington, D.C., and its broadcast center is in Prague, Czech Republic. RFE/RL is a leading means of Western communication to newly independent nations in a difficult transition to democracy and free market economies.

• Radio Free Asia . Radio Free Asia also receives grants from the Board of Governors. It is a private, non-profit corporation that broadcasts domestic news and information in seven languages to listeners who do not have access to full and free news media.

RFA seeks to promote the rights of freedom of opinion and expression -- including freedom to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any medium regardless of frontiers. RFA broadcasts daily via shortwave to China, Tibet, Burma, Vietnam, North Korea, and Cambodia in Mandarin, Tibetan, Burmese, Vietnamese, Korean, Lao and Khmer. The broadcasts originate from RFA Washington, DC, incorporating reports from correspondents and participants throughout Asia.

• Radio Sawa .  Radio Sawa ("Sawa" means "together" in Arabic) is a service of U.S. International Broadcasting aimed at listeners under 30, operated and funded by the Broadcasting Board of Governors. One of the guiding principles of Radio Sawa is that the long-range interests of the United States are served by communicating directly in Arabic with the peoples of the Middle East by radio. Radio Sawa began broadcasting in March 2002 and is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week on FM frequencies throughout the Middle East. Radio Sawa is also available via Nilesat, Arabsat, and Eutelsat.
  

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