Several times over the years people have told me that what the government does is in the public domain, since they represent the people... the theory being that anything they do is property of the people.
Yet we see cases like the VOA trying to restrict access to the work it does... for the people? Or, who actually do they represent?
The Dept. of Homesick Security has a lawsuit against a guy who used their logo on a tee-short... I haven't heard the outcome of that case.
The DHS tee-shirt had a satirical caption, and we know that bureaucrats don't like humor. Which actually makes them funnier.
Good grief... That form is almost comical. In an unfunny way.
Hmmm..
I'm not sure, but you might be going the wrong route to make the request. I had tried emailing [email protected] as suggested but it bounced back to me.. come to find out the correct email is [email protected] - So I emailed them tonight but haven't heard back yet.
Where did you find that form? Was it on the usage request page?
I followed the "insidevoa" link posted above. On that webpage are two links; one time use and continuing program requests.
Following the "continuing" request opens to an email address at which point I simply requested information stating that I wished to rebroadcast their VOA World News program.
They responded with the questionnaire.
I passed it along to the City's Law department as I plan to run VOA News on the City's LPFM.
I had sent out two identical emails, - one to [email protected] as the poster on facebook had advised, but I didn't know where he got that email so I also sent one to [email protected] which I had foundon the website.
In my email I never mentioned anything about part 15, but only said I was getting ready to set up an online radio stream.
I just received a freindly response from Doug Boynton Director of Marketing (the email was from [email protected]), here it is in part:
I have never understood the philosophy of the VOA method of sending "special news" to the world that is not intended for the home audience.
It would be like running a part 15 station for neighbors-only, but not for your own family to hear.
Somebody in the equation is either being lied to or having some news filtered, or both.
Are Americans getting filtered, dishonest news at home, or are foreigners getting the "special news," not giving them the straight scoop (?)
It's a constipational sort of journalism.
ALSO
The grassroots news organization Free Speech Radio News (FSRN), which went dark because Pacifica withheld funding, is in the process of starting-back-up with a newly reorganizaed news outlet.
FSRN has a new website and already has posted some audio clips on key world stories.
The response to my email sent to VOA was from their Global Marketing Manager.
In part the response was :
"We need to gather some information about your request to ensure it satisfies our requirements for domestic affiliation. Attached is a questionnaire that you should fill out, particularly page two, which shows how the content will be used and to whom it will be broadcast. Upon receiving this, my office will make a recommendation and send it on to the Voice of America where they will review it as well."
The VOA material must be used unedited, in full.
I followed up with a request to Feature Story News. When they first appeared on the scene all those years ago they offered their service free of charge.
Today, they request a subscription fee of $15/mo for the News Updates- 30 sec, 3 minute, 5 minute. They also offer FSN Report, a half hour program, for $200/mo. You can also obtain their News Feed clips to incorporate into your own newscast.
Right after I sent FSN an email requesting info, my phone rang. It was FSN following up my request. Very cordial fellow eager to forward information about their offerings.
Carl, There's nothing about VOA which implys it's not intended for the home audience... They do however require that your online streaming station which is carrying their broadcast are available worldround. Why this is a stipulation I haven't a clue, but don't see why it would be a problem.. Aren't most online stations available everywhere anyway?
As for FSRN.. I might be blind but I can't find a link to listen on their website.
Mram, I remember when FSN was free too.. I always liked having the options of 30sec 3 min. and 5min segments, but personally, I would not be too enthused about paying $180 a year for it.
VOA news actually produced just as good, even sounds better maybe, plus it's free. I wish they offered the 30sec newsbreak updates too, but the 5 minute is great to play at the top of the hour.
Personally, of the two; I like VOA better.. FSN is a british delivery, not that I have any objections to that, but if our stations are in the U.S., I think it more approriate using their "From Washington, this is VOA News..."
But the bottom line to me is:
FSN = $180yr
VOA = $0 but your online stream must available world wide.
To me it's a no-brainer.
However, I'm not sure if I'll qualify when I tell them my station is basically a tourist information broadcast for Tybee Island..
Do you know about Buzz Burbank, News and Commentary, 15-minutes daily Monday through Friday?
I found out about Buzz last September just after FSRN folded, and have been carrying him ever since.
His newscasts are selected for novelty, delivered with sly humor, and his voice is excellent. His newscast is FREE from the Relm Network, and contains some promotion for other Relm programs, some free some at a fee.
This link is the RSS but also shows the main site URL.
http://buzzburbank.libsyn.com/rss
Never heard of him, any relation to Buzz Lightyear? I'll check Buzz out.
With a slight change in cadence, this Buzz guy could be another Paul Harvey.
MRAM,.. I meant to post this several days ago. Here's a complete copy and paste of what I went through with VOA News.. I particuarly want you to see this to illustrate the courtsey extended, and how easy the request was for me, but it should be of interest to anyone else wishing to use their News as well...
I'll let the emails speak for themselves, and I also have an additional comment concerning them below in reference to the following correspondence and attached pdfs..
His replies are in bold
================================================
To: [email protected]; Wed 2/26/2014 7:54 PM
Hello,
I saw a post on facebook stating that 'Voice of America' offers a 5 minute news updates free to rebroadcast for online radio stations.
Is this information correct?
I have not set up my streaming radio station yet, but am getting ready to and would like to use your news broadcast for my world news breaks, by automating it into my playlist.
I am a private individual and not a licensed broadcaster.
If your 5 minute news is indeed a free offering, please inform on what link I should access the broadcast.
Thank you for your time, and awaiting your reply.
Best Regards,
Rich
========================================================
(From) Affiliates <[email protected]> Thu 2/27/2014 7:43 AM To: Richard Powers; // (this reply included 2 attachments: Basic Agreement.pdf" and "Declaration.pdf")
Hi, Richard.
Assuming your Internet radio station is intended for a worldwide audience, we can indeed make Voice of America’s hourly five-minute newscast available to you at no charge.
It’s a static URL that you can insert into your playlist:
http://www.voanews.com/mp3/voa/english/nnow/NNOW_HEADLINES.mp3
Updated hourly, 24/7.
I’ve attached the formal documents we’d need to execute in order to license your station to use our content.
In order to get clearances at this end, can you tell me more about your proposed station – what kinds of content will it include; what audiences are you seeking?
Questions, please feel free to get in touch.
All best.
=============================================
(from) Affiliates <[email protected]> Fri 2/28/2014 12:35 PM
To: Richard Powers;
Richard:
Just checking in – I’ll be out of the office through Monday, so if you reply and get no response, you’ll know why.
Thanks.
====================================================
To: Affiliates <[email protected]>;Tue 3/4/2014 9:23 PM
Hello Doug,
I must admit I'm not certain if my format of a tourist information website is acceptable or not for you to allow use of your programming.. This is not a music station.However, Tybee is a tourist location, and the programing focus on that aspect. So perhaps it is deemed acceptable for overseas listeners as well.
My website at end80radio.com hasn't been updated in a while, but it does provide a complete overview of what kind of station it is. I have never had an online stream, but am in the process of implementing one... right now I'm just looking into the most economical method.. As of yet I have not charged anyone for advertising or anything (it's mostly just a hobby)- although I plan to do so in the summer after the reach is expanded with the online stream, as well as more intense focus, time and effort is applied to this little venture.
I would like to include the 5 minute VOA world news about 3 or 4 times a day in my broadcast.. I'm not sure what times yet.. maybe something like 7am, noon, 3pm, and 5pm.
I am currently using 3 Part 15 certified AM transmitters spread around the island broadcasting legally on the AM band, giving me close to a 2 mile range.. and since this is a very small island it meets the objective.
I think that pretty well covers all the information about what my station consist of. I hope it is eligible to meet your criteria.
I have filled out and attached the 2 pdfs you sent me.
Thank you for your time, and awaiting your reply.
Best regards,
Rich
===================================================
(From) Affiliates <[email protected]> Fri 3/7/2014 9:04 AM
Hi, Richard.
Documents (3) are attached. All need your signature and should returned to me either by e-mail, fax (+1.202.203.4185) or by snail mail to the address below.
Once again, the URL for hourly newscasts is:
http://www.voanews.com/mp3/voa/english/nnow/NNOW_HEADLINES.mp3
Updated 24/7.
Good luck with your station, and welcome aboard. For what it’s worth, you’ll be joining more than 23-hundred affiliates worldwide that reach more than 205 million persons each week on air, online, and on mobile.
All best.
If I can help, never hesitate to get in touch. -
Doug.
Doug Boynton
Director of Marketing
...
==================================================
That was it! Done!
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS:
The attached documents consisted of the same two I received, filled out, and returned the first time, however he had edited some of the information I had entered on the form as follows, and returned to me to sign:
1. On the "Basic Agreement" pdf form..Under "Broadcast Facility Type" I had entered "Part 15 AM", with "1700" as the frequency,
-- he changed this to "Internet station".
Under "Technical Contact - Affiliate" I had simply entered "SAME AS ABOVE", (in reference to the info I had filled out under "Administrative Contact - Affiliate")
-- he removed my "same as above" and filled it out properly for me.
2. On the "Declaration" pdf form.. Under"BBG Provided Programing" I had entered "VOA 5 minute News", and left everything else blank.. He then filled out everything I had left blank using the information from our email correspondence!
3. In the last email you'll note that I also received an additional "Annex 1" pdf, which refers to "STANDARDS FOR RADIO OR TELEVISION BROADCASTS Transmitters used to broadcast the BBG provided programming - This I assume was for my Part 15 Local broadcast.
Attached to this post are gif copies of the pdfs he sent for me to sign:
This is the front and back of the Basic Agreement form:
Here is the Declaration of Clearence form:
And the Anex 1 form:
Hmm.. they got resized to small in my post.. Here's links for a larger view..
Basic Agreement
- front:
- back:
Declaration of Clearence:
Annex 1:
Amazing what different responses you get depending on who responds.
The response I got was quick but not very helpful. Maybe I'll try the route you took to see what happens.
For awhile I complained about a news shortage but now I have so many newscasts it would take all day to compile a list of them and the details, but here are some I have on today...
FPPRadio News (5-minutes daily), The Liberty Beat (5-minutes daily), PNS (5-minutes daily), BBC (2-minutes hourly), NPR (5-minutes hourly), FSN (5-minutes hourly), Democracy Now! (1-hour daily)... all available in the morning.
Buzz Burbank News and Comment (15-minutes daily), CPR News (30-minutes daily).
In addition there is a long list of weekly newscasts, not the least of which is Tim from Bovey's excellent headlines.
Reason I like so many newscasts is that many of them carry stories the others don't, giving me many more things to forget later that day.