Voice of America: Station Modernization Projects Need to Be Justified
NSIAD-94-69
Published: Jan 24, 1994. Publicly Released: Jan 24, 1994.
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Highlights
GAO reviewed the issues associated with consolidating Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) and the Voice of America (VOA) within the U.S. Information Agency's (USIA) Bureau of Broadcasting, focusing on whether VOA: (1) adequately considered the changing world conditions and new technology in its plans to build new stations and modernize existing ones; and (2) supported its modernization projects with fully documented cost-benefit analyses.
Recommendations
Recommendations for Executive Action
Agency Affected | Recommendation | Status |
---|---|---|
United States Information Agency | The Director, USIA, should direct the Associate Director, Bureau of Broadcasting, to require fully documented cost-benefit analyses for all VOA shortwave modernization projects where construction has not yet begun. |
Closed – Implemented
USIA advised GAO that its Bureau of Broadcasting has implemented the cost-benefit analyses consistent with the specific criteria outlined in the GAO report. These analyses were done for the last remaining shortwave station modernization project.
|
United States Information Agency | USIA should use the project alternatives assessment process developed in response to our 1992 report. |
Closed – Implemented
The Bureau of Broadcasting used the project alternative assessment process in evaluating its new Pacific Island shortwave station. This process was developed in response to a GAO report.
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Topics
Construction costsCost effectiveness analysisFederal agency reorganizationInternational relationsPublic diplomacyRadioRadio broadcastingInternational broadcastingShortwave radioConstruction