request for info on VOA/RFA

[lb252689@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx]

I'm a relatively new subscriber to burmanet, and am anxious to introduce 
myself.  I also have a request for information.  First:

My name is Lisa Brooten, and I'm currently a graduate student at the 
Center for International Studies at Ohio University.  I am studying 
development, and am especially interested in Burma.   

Before beginning my 
grad work here in Ohio, I lived overseas for several years, and spent a 
little over two years living and teaching among the Karen along the 
Thai-Burmese border.  I have been back to visit several times since, most 
recently visiting this past May when the DKBA cross-border attacks were 
big news in Thailand and bad news for my friends there.  Here at Ohio 
University, I have begun to meet with students and faculty interested in 
Burma, and we are hoping to form a Burma Action group soon.  In the 
meantime, we've been writing our Congressmen, and arranging for speakers 
to come to campus to raise awareness. 

I'm writing now with a request for information, though.  For one of my 
classes, I'm looking at VOA's broadcasting (especially to Burma, but to 
Asia in general, as well)  and also at the controversy surrounding the 
establishment of Radio Free Asia.  I read with interest the "year in 
review" posted a bit back on burmanet, especially the section about VOA 
difficulties and the accusations of bias in programming.

Does anyone have suggestions about how I can get more detailed information? 
I'd also be interested in interviewing people who could offer opinions 
about VOA programming, its usefulness (either now or in the past, i.e. 
1988 especially) and/or lack of usefulness.

I would welcome and appreciate any suggestions, and can be reached 
directly at:

lb252689@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Thanks very much for your time!

Lisa Brooten