VOA announces to end Bangla radio service  | The Business Standard
Skip to main content
  • Latest
  • Economy
    • Banking
    • Stocks
    • Industry
    • Analysis
    • Bazaar
    • RMG
    • Corporates
    • Aviation
  • Videos
    • TBS Today
    • TBS Stories
    • TBS World
    • News of the day
    • TBS Programs
    • Podcast
    • Editor's Pick
  • World+Biz
  • Features
    • Panorama
    • The Big Picture
    • Pursuit
    • Habitat
    • Thoughts
    • Splash
    • Mode
    • Tech
    • Explorer
    • Brands
    • In Focus
    • Book Review
    • Earth
    • Food
    • Luxury
    • Wheels
  • Subscribe
    • Get the Paper
    • Epaper
    • GOVT. Ad
  • More
    • Sports
    • TBS Graduates
    • Bangladesh
    • Supplement
    • Infograph
    • Archive
    • Gallery
    • Long Read
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Magazine
    • Climate Change
    • Health
    • Cartoons
  • বাংলা
The Business Standard

Friday
July 25, 2025

Sign In
Subscribe
  • Latest
  • Economy
    • Banking
    • Stocks
    • Industry
    • Analysis
    • Bazaar
    • RMG
    • Corporates
    • Aviation
  • Videos
    • TBS Today
    • TBS Stories
    • TBS World
    • News of the day
    • TBS Programs
    • Podcast
    • Editor's Pick
  • World+Biz
  • Features
    • Panorama
    • The Big Picture
    • Pursuit
    • Habitat
    • Thoughts
    • Splash
    • Mode
    • Tech
    • Explorer
    • Brands
    • In Focus
    • Book Review
    • Earth
    • Food
    • Luxury
    • Wheels
  • Subscribe
    • Get the Paper
    • Epaper
    • GOVT. Ad
  • More
    • Sports
    • TBS Graduates
    • Bangladesh
    • Supplement
    • Infograph
    • Archive
    • Gallery
    • Long Read
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Magazine
    • Climate Change
    • Health
    • Cartoons
  • বাংলা
FRIDAY, JULY 25, 2025
VOA announces to end Bangla radio service 

World+Biz

TBS Report 
14 July, 2021, 02:35 pm
Last modified: 14 July, 2021, 02:39 pm

Related News

  • Voice of America recalls Farsi-speaking staff amid Israel-Iran conflict
  • US court ruling throws Voice of America return into flux
  • Trump signs order to slash staff at Voice of America, other US-funded media outlets
  • Trump taps immigration hard-liner Kari Lake as head of Voice of America
  • Minority groups in Bangladesh feel safer under interim govt: VOA survey

VOA announces to end Bangla radio service 

The FM and shortwave radio transmissions of Voice of America in Bangla would officially end on 17 July, after 63 years

TBS Report 
14 July, 2021, 02:35 pm
Last modified: 14 July, 2021, 02:39 pm
VOA announces to end Bangla radio service 

Voice of America (VOA) has announced that it is ending its radio service in Bangla that served Bangladesh, West Bengal, Assam and Tripura for 63 years.

The FM and shortwave radio transmissions of Voice of America in Bangla would officially end on 17 July, after 63 years, according to a media release.

Simultaneously, the service''s television and social media content will expand considerably, as these are platforms more heavily used by VOA Bangla''s 16 million weekly audience members.

The Business Standard Google News Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel

"When VOA Bangla launched in January 1958, Bangladesh was known as ''East Pakistan'' and it was a territory under martial law with no television or private radio," said John Lippman, Acting VOA Programming Director.

"VOA''s shortwave radio transmissions from outside the borders were a lifeline to the Bangla-speaking population for independent news and information," he said.

While the service''s shortwave radio audience is now less than one per cent, VOA Bangla social media audiences have grown significantly in recent years.

Engagement actions on the Twitter account have risen 54 per cent over the previous year, while video views on Instagram are up 274 per cent in the same period, reports Outlook India. 

"Dozens of domestic television and radio stations compete for Bangla-speaking audiences, as well as an increasing number of digital sources," Lippman noted.

"As the demand for TV and online access to news in Bangladesh expands, VOA''s Bangla service program offerings need to be on the platforms its audience already is most active," he said.

"VOA Bangla radio broadcasts brought world events to its audiences since the days when radio was the primary news medium," Acting VOA Bangla Service Chief Satarupa Barua told staff this month.

"It was a staple in our upbringing, a household name. We will build on that reputation, increasing our presence on media that is now far more heavily used than short wave and medium wave radio," he said.

During the final days of its radio broadcasts, the service will broadcast retrospective programming, looking back at the changes in the country since 1958.

"Because of our service''s history in Bangladesh, working at VOA has been the 'dream job' for many of us. With the coming changes, it will continue to be," Barua added. 
 

Top News

VOA / Voice of America

Comments

While most comments will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive, moderation decisions are subjective. Published comments are readers’ own views and The Business Standard does not endorse any of the readers’ comments.

Top Stories

  • The supporters of local Awami League and Chhatra League locked in a clash with police following attacks on NCP convoy this afternoon (16 July). Photo: Collected
    5 killed in political clash in Gopalganj: ASK demands independent investigation
  • On 21 July, a Bangladesh Air Force (BAF) F-7 BGI training fighter jet crashed into Milestone School and College in Uttara, killing at least 31. Photo: Mehedi Hasan
    Milestone tragedy: Death toll rises to 32 as another child dies
  • File photo of a new NBR office in Agargaon, Dhaka. Photo: UNB
    Clear consignments in a day, customs officials directed

MOST VIEWED

  •  ABM Khairul Haque. File Photo: Collected
    Former chief justice Khairul Haque detained
  • File photo of Bangladesh Bank. Photo: TBS
    Governor Mansur orders withdrawal of BB dress code after directive draws criticism
  • Hasina and Taposh in an event in 2020. Photo: Collected
    Al Jazeera investigation: Hasina, in call with Taposh, talks using helicopter to shoot, crush protesters in July uprising
  • Representational image. File photo: TBS
    Govt okays proposed tariff structure for Chattogram Port, rates to rise by up to 440%
  • Representational image. Photo: Collected
    Tariff talks: Bangladesh, US set for crucial virtual meeting on 29 July
  • Mehreen Ahmed speaking to media on 11 July 2025. Photo: Collected
    Court disposes of Dhaka girl's case against parents seeking 'protection from abuse'

Related News

  • Voice of America recalls Farsi-speaking staff amid Israel-Iran conflict
  • US court ruling throws Voice of America return into flux
  • Trump signs order to slash staff at Voice of America, other US-funded media outlets
  • Trump taps immigration hard-liner Kari Lake as head of Voice of America
  • Minority groups in Bangladesh feel safer under interim govt: VOA survey

Features

Illustration: TBS

The future of medicine: How innovations will catalyse quantum leaps in healthcare by 2055

17h | The Big Picture
Photo: Collected

24 July: More than 1400 arrested, 3 missing coordinators found

1d | Panorama
Photo: Mehedi Hasan/TBS

Aggrieved nation left with questions as citizens rally to help at burn institute

2d | Panorama
Photo: Mehedi Hasan/TBS

Mourning turns into outrage as Milestone students seek truth and justice

2d | Panorama

More Videos from TBS

All Previous Records Broken in Dinajpur, Rice Prices Are Rising

All Previous Records Broken in Dinajpur, Rice Prices Are Rising

2h | TBS Stories
There are many more examples of trials of Chief Justices in the world.

There are many more examples of trials of Chief Justices in the world.

15h | TBS Today
Why is there a massive conflict between Thailand and Cambodia?

Why is there a massive conflict between Thailand and Cambodia?

15h | TBS News Updates
Former Chief Justice ABM Khairul Haque in prison

Former Chief Justice ABM Khairul Haque in prison

15h | TBS Today
EMAIL US
contact@tbsnews.net
FOLLOW US
WHATSAPP
+880 1847416158
The Business Standard
  • About Us
  • Contact us
  • Sitemap
  • Advertisement
  • Privacy Policy
  • Comment Policy
Copyright © 2025
The Business Standard All rights reserved
Technical Partner: RSI Lab

Contact Us

The Business Standard

Main Office -4/A, Eskaton Garden, Dhaka- 1000

Phone: +8801847 416158 - 59

Send Opinion articles to - oped.tbs@gmail.com

For advertisement- sales@tbsnews.net