---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Thu, 29 Jun 2000 13:47:25 -0700
From: David Mozer <[log in to unmask]>
Reply-To: [log in to unmask]
To: wa-afr <[log in to unmask]>
Subject: [wa-afr] FW: Call To Action - Support Independent Radio In Liberia


-----Original Message-----
From: Jim Gray [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: Wednesday, June 28, 2000 10:32 PM
To: Friends of Liberia
Subject: Call To Action - Support Independent Radio In Liberia


CALL TO ACTION - SUPPORT INDEPENDENT RADIO IN LIBERIA

Write Today!

We are asking you to help strengthen independent radio in Liberia by
writing today to Senator Jessie Helms. Senator Helms has placed a
"hold" on a funding request by USAID that would help upgrade the
capacity of Radio Veritas. Radio Veritas is operated by the Catholic
Church of Liberia, but dedicates ninety-percent of its broadcasting to
the dissemination of independently gathered news and education programs.
USAID would like to provide $250,000 of support for equipment that would
upgrade the broadcasting capabilities of Radio Veritas. Senator Helms
has had a "hold" on this funding since March.

Please take the time to write a brief letter to Senator Helms expressing
your concern that funding for Radio Veritas is critical for the growth
of independent radio in Liberia and the right of Liberians to news and
information not censored by the government. You may wish to make the
following points in your letter.

Radio Veritas is one of the few surviving independent radio
stations in Liberia, but needs support to be able to broadcast its
news and educational programs to the entire country.

Radio is the only source of news for the vast majority of
Liberians.

The government-controlled radio station is currently the only
station with the resources to broadcast to the entire country
leaving the majority of Liberians with only one source of
information.

The government of Liberia forced Radio Veritas and USAID-funded
Star Radio to close down on March 15, but a public outcry led to
the reopening of Veritas.just days later. STAR Radio remains
closed.

That a strong civil society needs independent sources of
information to effectively be a counterbalance to government
tyranny.

To not provide funding to Veritas will undermine press freedom and
enhance the governments control over the information that
Liberians receive.

Send a hard copy of your letter to:

Senator Jessie Helms
403 Dirksen Senate Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20510-3301

or fax it to 202-228-1339.

We encourage you to fax or mail your letter to Senator Helms and also
send your message by e-mail to [log in to unmask] (There is an
"underscore" between jesse and helms). Please send a copy (cc) to FOL
at the following address [log in to unmask]

Giving a call or writing to the U.S. Senators from your State and asking
them to contact Senator Helms is also effective.

Please take the time before you celebrate Independence Day to show your
support for freedom and democracy in Liberia. Thank you!

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