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VOA Adds Satellite Frequencies in Run-Up to Iranian Election

May 29, 2009

Washington, D.C., (RPRN) 5/29/2009-– The Voice of America has added new satellite frequencies to ensure millions of Iranians are able to watch and listen to programs on VOA's Persian News Network (PNN) in the run-up to Iran's June 12 presidential elections.

The addition of new satellite paths (on Arabsat Badr-4 and Eutelsat HotBird) comes after viewers flooded PNN with reports of signal interference. VOA officials subsequently confirmed that Iranian authorities have greatly increased jamming in parts of Tehran, the capital, and some other locations.

"Iran is one of the most important countries to which we broadcast," said Alex Belida, acting director of VOA's PNN. "Our job is to provide people with objective and balanced information so they can make the best decision possible. The initial response to our new satellite frequencies has been very positive."

PNN has launched intensive special reporting on Iran's June 12th presidential election, including "news of the day" campaign reports, background election stories, and analysis of the activities of the country's four approved presidential candidates.

PNN has the largest combined radio and television audience of all international broadcasters in Iran, with one in four adult Iranians tuning in to a VOA show at least once a week. PNN broadcasts seven hours of television daily, repeated in a 24-hour format, and five hours of radio. Broadcasts are available on demand on the Internet at www.VOAPNN.com.

The Voice of America, which first went on the air in 1942, is a multimedia international broadcasting service funded by the U.S. Government through the Broadcasting Board of Governors. VOA broadcasts approximately 1,500 hours of news, information, educational, and cultural programming every week to an estimated worldwide audience of more than 134 million people. Programs are produced in 45 languages.

For more information, call VOA Public Relations at (202) 2..., or e-mail askvoa@voanews.com.

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