10131

09/15/2002
EDITORIAL NUMBER=0-10131

BUSH ON BROADCASTING

The terrorist attacks of September 11^th, 2001, "brought new clarity to America’s role in the world," said President George W. Bush in an anniversary article in the New York Times newspaper. "In great tragedy," he said, "we have also seen great opportunities. . . . America’s greatest opportunity is to create a balance of world power that favors human freedom."

The United States seeks to use its strength and influence to build an atmosphere of international order, liberty, and peace. "We defend this peace," said Mr. Bush, "by opposing and preventing violence by terrorists and outlaw regimes. We preserve this peace by building good relations among the world’s great powers, and we extend this peace by encouraging free and open societies on every continent."

The U.S., said President Bush, will "take the side of brave men and women who advocate human rights and democratic values, from Africa to Latin America, Asia, and the Islamic world. . . . The U.S. will promote moderation, tolerance, and the non-negotiable demands of human dignity -- [including] the rule of law, limits on the power of the state, and respect for women, private property, free speech, and equal justice."

The U.S. promotes these values through its diplomatic efforts, development aid, educational assistance, and international broadcasting. The importance of international broadcasting was highlighted by President Bush’s visit to the Voice of America on its sixtieth anniversary last February. "To people whose governments broadcast messages of bigotry and hate," he said, V-O-A "sends a message of tolerance and respect. To people who are told that democracy is soft and weak, the Voice of America shows freedom’s strength and determination. To people who live under governments that sustain their power with lies, [V-O-A] brings truth."

Throughout its history, V-O-A has used every means possible -- radio, television, and now the Internet -- to bypass the barriers of tyrants. "No one knows what new information technologies will be available" in the future, said Mr. Bush. "But two things we do know: first, that the Voice of America will find a way to use them; and second, though these means of delivery may change, the message never will."

"It’s a simple message," said President Bush. "It’s a message of freedom, and freedom is worth defending. And the truth, no less than the force of arms, is needed for its defense."