Beginning of Voice of America Broadcasts

Date: February 1, 1942 • Location: Berlin, Germany

Voice of America, the official external radio and television service of the United States federal government, began broadcasting to Germany during World War II.

Voice of America is an international broadcaster, funded by the United States federal government and established in 1942. It is the largest and oldest of the US's existing international broadcasters, producing digital, TV, and radio content in 48 languages for affiliate stations around the world. Its targeted and primary audience is non-Americans outside the American borders, especially those living in countries without press freedom or independent journalism. Since 2025, State Media Monitor has classified the United States Agency for Global Media (USAGM) and its outlets, including VOA, Radio Free Asia, and Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, as state-controlled media, describing the agency as operating "under direct White House political direction".