It remains to be seen what the imprint of the administration will be on U.S. International Broadcasting.

Today, numerous country and region-targeted entities compete for limited resources, and the will of Congress as expressed in specific legislative language directing that English and other services be restored, continues to be ignored by the BBG.

At least for now, it appears that pressure (expressed to Congress in a number of hearings in recent years by Pentagon-linked experts) to simply turn over government-funded broadcasting to the Pentagon as part of the “hearts and minds” campaign has lessened, it’s by no means assured that this won’t happen in the future.

Meanwhile, the very existence of VOA Worldwide English and other broadcasts continues to hang on razor thin margins of MILLIONS of dollars. What a shame.

While one can’t deny that shortwave as a major medium of communication has given way to the Internet and local FM (a tour around the world with a WI-FI radio will confirm that) the extent to which the United States has handed over the airwaves to others — notably China, Russia and Cuba — in recent years is downright embarrassing.

Bravo to Murray and others who continue to try to point out to those willing to listen what has happened and what the potential solutions are.

All best, Eli