Based in Washington DC, Radio Free Asia (RFA), founded in 1996, was sponsored by Senator Richard Lugar (R-IN) to receive permanent broadcasting status.  Senator’s Lugar legislation was introduced on March 12, 2010.  Without this legislation, Radio Free Asia’s broadcast authority, under the current law, would have expired on September 30, 2010.  The legislation known as S.3104 was co-sponsored by Senators Inouye (D-HI), Franken (D-MN) and Kaufman (D-DE).   The initiators of the legislation however, were Representatives Ed Royce (R-CA) and  Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL) who introduced an amendment to the United States Broadcasting Act of 1994, to extend Radio Free Asia’s broadcasting authority by one year.  The amendment known as H.R. 3592 was introduced to the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs on September 17, 2009, after which it was supported by Senator Lugar and his colleagues.  Instead of its original intent, however, the US Senate decided to propose law permanently authorizing Radio Free Asia’s operation in the United States.

Having cleared the U.S. Senate and the House of Representatives H.R. 3593 is now on its way to President Obama’s desk for ratification.  Following ratification, Radio Free Asia will be able to continue its objective and mission which is “to provide accurate and timely news and information to Asian countries whose governments prohibit access to a free press.”

Here’s some sample content from Radio Free Asia:

As Radio Free Asia becomes “permanent”, we might ask congress: Why no Radio Free Africa?

Sources:

The Library of Congress Online

Sourcews

Senator Richard G. Lugar’s Senate’s Website

Radio Free Asia