BBG Watch Commentary
Voice of America English News can’t find America’s top fan at the World Cup in Brazil — U.S. Vice President Joe Biden. VOA English News found one American fan who is rooting for Spain. Voice of America English News had no reports about Biden’s presence at the USA v Ghana match, his visit with the winning U.S. team or his current trip to Latin America.
The visit of U.S. Vice President Joe Biden to Brazil is not mentioned in any reports on the main VOA English News website. VOA English News also did not report online on the main VOA news site that the Vice President watched the USA vs Ghana World Cup match.
VOA English News also did not report that the Vice President visited the locker room of the U.S. team. In fact, Voice of America English News has absolutely nothing — zero (except for one photo retweet in Spanish) — on Vice President Joe Biden’s visit to Latin America.
In addition to Brazil, Biden will visit Colombia, the Dominican Republic, and Guatemala.
A recent VOA video report from the inauguration of Ukraine’s President Petro Poroshenko had failed to mention that the event was attended by Vice President Joe Biden and a bipartisan U.S. congressional delegation, which included Sens. John McCain, Chris Murphy and Ron Johnson and Rep. Marcy Kaptur.
In recent years and months, the Voice of America has often failed to report on key U.S. news, was late in reporting them or offered only superficial coverage. Critics blame it not on individual journalists, but on mismanagement by senior VOA officials.
While the Voice of America did not send a correspondent with Vice President Biden to cover his visit to Ukraine, it sent VOA Director David Ensor on a trip to Poland and Ukraine at the same time.
A Voice of English News report with video from Brazil, “Copacabana Beach Draws World Cup Fans From Near, Far – VOA,” makes no mention of Vice President Biden. VOA found only one America fan who was “rooting for Spain.” The Voice of America could not find America’s top fan at the World Cup in Brazil — U.S. Vice President Joe Biden.
There is a tweet on the separate VOA World Cup Blog of a photo of Vice President Biden seated with President John Dramani Mahama of Ghana, but one would have to leave the main VOA news site to see it. The VOA blog does not offer any explanation or any further reporting about Biden at the World Cup. The VOA World Cup Blog is very difficult to navigate, to use, or to quickly find any useful information.
Biden is not mentioned in any VOA English News World Cup reports from Brazil on the primary VOA news website. Other than one photo, even the Voice of America World Cup Blog does not say anything about Biden’s visit to Brazil and his presence during the USA vs Ghana match, which the U.S. won, or his meeting with the U.S. team.
A report on the main VOA English news website about the U.S. win over Ghana is not from the Voice of America but from Reuters. Reuters does not mention Vice President Biden watching the game.
So much for the Voice of America presenting America to the world according to the VOA Charter. But according to a recent comment by Voice of America director David Ensor, VOA will not be a mouthpiece for the White House or anybody else. It seems to us, however, that Vice President Biden is representing the United States at the World Cup, not just himself or the White House.
But may be we are wrong and VOA Director is right. Under VOA Director David Ensor and VOA Executive Editor Steve Redisch, Voice of America posted dozens of news reports on the British royal wedding in 2011 and the British royal baby christening in 2013. Obviously, U.S. Vice President Joe Biden visiting with the winning U.S. soccer team at the World Cup in Brazil does not meet the Voice of America’s high journalistic standards for news importance, news relevance, and adherence to the VOA Charter that Mr. Redisch and Mr. Ensor had established earlier with extensive Voice of America news coverage of the British royal family. Why bother.
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VOA CHARTER
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These tweets were not posted on the Voice of America English News website, nor were these Pro-US TEAM Fan gestures by Vice President Biden mentioned in any VOA English News reports from Brazil:
Behind the scenes video → VP Biden visits the @ussoccer team’s locker room at the #WorldCup. http://t.co/gFoBmSAPlI #USMNT #GoTeamUSA
— Vice President Biden (@VP) June 17, 2014
One nation. One team. Keep making us proud, @ussoccer! #WorldCup #GoTeamUSA #USMNT http://t.co/wdVABpotkX pic.twitter.com/xE9FkYR3hv
— Vice President Biden (@VP) June 17, 2014
When it comes to soccer, America’s kicking it into high gear: • 25 million people in the U.S. play soccer • 80% are young people #WorldCup
— Vice President Biden (@VP) June 16, 2014
Go Team #USA MT @ussoccer: @VP Thank you for the support! #OneNationOneTeam #WorldCup
— Vice President Biden (@VP) June 16, 2014
VP will be cheering on the @ussoccer team from Brazil tonight. In ’10, the VP rooted for the #USMNT in South Africa → pic.twitter.com/5nsaSW8qwJ
— Vice President Biden (@VP) June 16, 2014
Not Covered by Voice of America:
Sent: Tuesday, June 17, 2014 1:31 PM
Subject: “VPOTUS pool report”
VPOTUS had lunch at the hotel after meeting with Brazilian vice-president Michel Temer.
VPOTUS’s statement to the press at the U.S. Embassy in Brasilia was expected at 12:15 PM local time – 11:15 AM EDT – but started at 1 PM.
VPOTUS offered condolences “for the loss of life and destruction in the flood in Brazil.”
VPOTUS said he has become friends with Brazil’s president.
VPOTUS said the stadium he went to see World Cup game Monday evening in Natal “is beautiful.” He said “Brazil has done an incredible job.”
VPOTUS said that during the meeting with Brazil’s president “like any global partners, we discussed Iraq.” He said both nations are interested on a “stable, united democratic Iraq (…) That continues to make greater contributions to global energy in order to stabilize markets around the world.” He said “U.S. Government is working on supporting the Iraq government and all of Iraq’s communities in their common fight against this vicious threat of terror.” He said “we are consulting (…) With a full range of Iraq leaders on an inclusive political path forward.”
VPOTUS said “Urgent assistance is clearly required.”
VPOTUS said “we also talked about Venezuela.” He called for efforts for “the protection of basic human rights.”
VPOTUS said he discussed with president Rousseff “the common effort we have to protect and secure the internet.” He said the internet “is not a tool of government repression.”
VPOTUS said he and Ms. Rousseff discussed the U.S. surveillance program. “We had a candid conversation about that,” and that “we will keep consulting” global partners about potential changes to the program.
VPOTUS announced “a special program to declassify and share with Brazil’s Truth Commission documents that shed light on Brazil’s 21-year dictatorship.”
VPOTUS said documents were already turned over “an initial batch of documents today to the Brazilian government.”
VPOTUS left the Embassy at around 1:30 local time. He was going to have a meeting with embassy personnel before taking off to visit undisclosed countries in Latin America, an aid said.
A full transcript will be released momentarily. Please check the transcript for full quotes.
Sent: Tuesday, June 17, 2014 09:41 AM
Subject: “VPOTUS pool report”VPOTUS (Vice President Biden) is expected to make a statement to reporters at the American Embassy in Brasilia at around 12:15 local time, 11:15 EDT.
Sent: Tuesday, June 17, 2014 09:08 AM
Subject: “VPOTUS pool report”VPOTUS said “America won last night” before taking the elevator for a meeting with Brazil’s president at the presidential palace.
Sent: Tuesday, June 17, 2014 08:52 AM
Subject: “VPOTUS pool report”VPOTUS expected at 9 AM local time, 8 AM EDT, at Brazil’s presidential palace.
VPOTUS will meet with Brazil’s President Dilma Rousseff for about 20 minutes and then go to meet with Vice-President Michel Temer.
VPOTUS expected to address the press later at the U.S. Embassy.Sent: Tuesday, June 17, 2014 07:58 AM
Subject: “VPOTUS pool report”VP arrived in Brasilia late Monday, after watching USA’s debut in the World Cup against Ghana. He spent the night at the U.S. Embassy in Brasilia.
VP is scheduled to meet Brazil’s President Dilma Rousseff at the presidential palace at 9:30. He will later meet Brazil’s Vice-President Michel Temer, probably at Mr. Temer’s official residence knows as Palacio do Jaburu.
The two VPs will address the press at a time and place still undefined. They won’t take questions.
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Vice PresidentFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 16, 2014Vice President Biden Travels to Brazil, Colombia, the Dominican Republic, and Guatemala
Vice President Joe Biden arrived in Natal for the first leg of his visit to Brazil, Colombia, the Dominican Republic, and Guatemala during the week of June 16, 2014. In each country, the Vice President will meet with key leaders to discuss the full range of bilateral, regional and global issues.
While in Brazil, the Vice President attended the June 16th match in Natal between the United States and Ghana, and continued on to Brasilia to meet with President Dilma Rousseff and Vice President Michel Temer. In Colombia, the Vice President will meet with President Santos to follow-up on the bilateral and regional prosperity and security agenda. In the Dominican Republic, the Vice President will meet with President Danilo Medina to discuss a broad range of bilateral issues, as well as regional cooperation.
The Vice President will also continue on to Guatemala, where he will meet with President Otto Perez Molina and other regional leaders to discuss the influx of migrants crossing without authorization along the Southwest Border and ask for support to more quickly process and safely return immigrants to their home countries. The Vice President will also explore ways to help our partners in Central America discourage and, whenever possible, stem the flow by addressing the root causes of violence and lack of opportunity that drive this migration.
Please note all times are approximate and are subject to change.
Tuesday, June 17th – Brasilia, Brazil
In the morning, the Vice President will travel to the Palácio do Planalto. The Vice President’s arrival at Palácio do Planalto is open press. At 9:00 AM LOCAL TIME/8:00 AM ET, the Vice President will hold a bilateral meeting with Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff. There will be a pool spray at the top of this meeting.
Afterwards, the Vice President will travel to Brazilian Vice President Michel Temer’s residence. The Vice President’s arrival is open press. At 10:30 AM LOCAL TIME/9:30 AM ET the Vice President will hold a bilateral meeting with Vice President Temer. There will be a spray at the top of this meeting. At 11:15 AM LOCAL TIME/10:15 AM ET the two leaders will deliver statements to the press. These statements will be open press.
Later, the Vice President will meet with U.S. Embassy staff and families in Brasilia. This event is closed press.
Afterwards, the Vice President will travel to Brasilia International Airport to depart Brasilia, Brazil en route Bogota, Colombia. His departure is closed press.
At 7:00 PM LOCAL TIME/ 8:00 PM ET the Vice President will arrive at El Dorado International Airport in Bogota, Colombia, where he will remain overnight. His arrival at the airport is open press.
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Wednesday, June 18th – Bogota, Colombia
In the morning, the Vice President will travel to the Presidential Palace for a bilateral meeting with Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos. This meeting is closed press.
Afterwards, the Vice President and President Manuel Santos will deliver statements to the press. These statements will be open press.
In the afternoon, the Vice President will tour the National Center for Historic Memory. This visit will be pooled press.
The Vice President will then meet with U.S. Embassy staff and families in Bogota. This event is closed press.
Later in the afternoon, the Vice President will depart Bogota for Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. The Vice President’s departure is closed press.
In the evening, the Vice President will arrive at Las Americas International Airport in Santo Domingo, where he will remain overnight. The Vice President’s arrival is open press.
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Thursday, June 19th – Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
In the morning, the Vice President will arrive at the Presidential Palace for a bilateral meeting with Dominican President Danilo Medina. This event is closed press.
Afterwards, the Vice President and President Medina will deliver statements to the press. These statements will be open press. The Vice President and President Medina will then have a working lunch. There will be a pool spray at the top of the meeting.
Later in the afternoon, the Vice President will meet with U.S. Embassy staff and families in Santo Domingo. This event is closed press.
The Vice President will remain overnight in Santo Domingo.
#
Friday, June 20th – Guatemala City, Guatemala
In the morning, the Vice President will depart Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic en route Guatemala City, Guatemala. The Vice President’s departure is closed press.
Additional details about the Vice President’s schedule are forthcoming.
In the evening, the Vice President will depart Guatemala City, Guatemala, en route Washington, DC.
Biden v British Royal Family on Voice of America English New Website — Biden Lost
BBG Watch Commentary, December 31, 2013
U.S. taxpayers paid for these programs by the Voice of America (VOA) while many human rights-related news stories and important U.S. foreign policy pronouncements by the White House, the State Department, and members of Congress went unreported on VOA websites in recent months and years.
Years and months later, these reports on the British royalty posted on the VOA English website show zero or very few Facebook “Likes” or any other indication of any notable audience engagement through social media.
IF YOU ARE A U.S. TAXPAYER YOU MUST CHECK THIS OUT
1.
Excited Crowds Fill London Streets for Royal Wedding Voice of America (VOA) English Website, April 28, 2011 8:00 PM
2.
Royal Wedding Ceremony Steeped in Grandeur, Tradition Voice of America (VOA) English Website, April 28, 2011 8:00 PM
3.
Kate Middleton Wears Wedding Dress by Sarah Burton Voice of America (VOA) English Website, April 28, 2011 8:00 PM
4.
Wedding Celebrations Held in Streets Across Britain Voice of America (VOA) English website, April 28, 2011 8:00 PM
5.
Americans Rise Early for Royal Wedding Voice of America (VOA) English website, April 28, 2011 8:00 PM
6.
Celebrities, Sports Stars Among Royal Wedding Guests Voice of America (VOA) English website, April 28, 2011 8:00 PM
7.
Britain Hopes for Billion-Dollar Economic Boost from Royal Wedding Voice of America (VOA) English website, April 27, 2011 8:00 PM
8.
Crowds Gather for Britain’s Royal Wedding; Syrian Diplomat Pulled Off Guest List Voice of America (VOA) English website, April 27, 2011 8:00 PM
9.
London Readies for Royal Wedding Day Voice of America (VOA) English website, April 27, 2011 8:00 PM
10.
Formal Clothing, Informal Speeches Typical at British Weddings Voice of America (VOA) English website, April 26, 2011 8:00 PM
11.
British Public Divided Over Royal Wedding Voice of America (VOA) English website, April 25, 2011 8:00 PM
12.
Britain Preparing Security for Royal Wedding Voice of America (VOA) English website, April 25, 2011 8:00 PM
13.
Britain’s Royal Wedding: From Cake to Clergy Voice of America (VOA) English website, April 25, 2011 8:00 PM
14.
Bahrain Prince Declines British Royal Wedding Invitation Voice of America (VOA) English website, April 24, 2011 8:00 PM
15.
David Beckham, Elton John Among Royal Wedding Guests Voice of America (VOA) English website, April 24, 2011 8:00 PM
16.
Britain Notes Big Change in Royal Wedding Souvenirs Voice of America (VOA) English website, April 21, 2011 8:00 PM
17.
Prince William, Bride-to-Be Middleton Visit Princess Diana’s Grave Voice of America (VOA) English website, April 20, 2011 8:00 PM
18.
Britain’s Queen Formally Approves Prince William’s Wedding Voice of America (VOA) English website, April 20, 2011 8:00 PM
19.
Britain’s Queen Celebrates 85th Birthday Voice of America (VOA) English website, April 20, 2011 8:00 PM
10.
Royal Wedding: William & Kate Voice of America (VOA) English website, April 20, 2011 8:50 AM
21.
A Royal Obsession, Do Americans Care? Voice of America (VOA) English website, April 19, 2011 8:00 PM
22.
Muslim Group Applies to Protest Royal Wedding Voice of America (VOA) English website, April 18, 2011 8:00 PM
23.
YouTube to Air Britain’s Royal Wedding Live Voice of America (VOA) English website, April 18, 2011 8:00 PM
24.
Princesses in Training Get Tips at Royal Tea Party Voice of America (VOA) English website, April 17, 2011 8:00 PM
25.
10 Ways You Can Get Into the Spirit of the Royal Wedding Voice of America (VOA) English website, April 14, 2011 8:00 PM
26.
British Royal Engagement Sparks Interest in Modern Monarchies Voice of America (VOA) English website, November 29, 2010 7:00 PM
27.
Britain Announces Royal Wedding Date Voice of America (VOA) English website, November 22, 2010 7:00 PM
VOA on British Royal Christening, October 2013
Among five reports on the VOA website on the royal christening in Britain posted on October 23 and 24, 2013, none has more than 20 Facebook “Likes” as of October 28, 2013, one had zero Facebook “Likes” and another one had three.
Zones: Breaking News , Europe
Prince William, Kate Hold Private Christening for New Prince
October 23, 2013 12:08 PM
……..was born on July 22. In the arms of his mother as she left the the palace’s Chapel Royal, George was dressed in a long cream satin robe that was a replica of an 1841 gown made for the christening of Queen Victoria’s eldest daughter. Kate, a style icon whose outfits often increase sales of similar garments, wore an off-white, ruffled skirt-suit, made by British fashion house Alexander McQueen, and pillbox hat by British milliner Jane Taylor ….
Tags: Britain , duchess catherine , Kate Middleton , prince george , Prince William , royal christening
Zones: Europe
Reporters: Reuters
Prince George’s Godparents Named Ahead of Christening
October 23, 2013 8:20 AM
……..William and Kate’s decision is a break with the tradition of choosing royal dignitaries to take on the ceremonial role, and a continuation of their effort to portray a more informal, modern image to austerity-hit Britons. After the christening, guests will attend a private tea at Clarence House, hosted by Prince Charles and Camilla. Hollywood photographer Jason Bell has been tapped to take official photos of the event, that will include a “historic multi-generational photograph” of the queen
Tags: Britain , monarch , prince george , royal christening
Zones: Europe
Reporters: VOA News
Royal Baby Christening Breaks with Tradition
October 23, 2013 12:14 AM
Carla Babb Prince George, the son of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, is being christened in Britain on Wednesday. In a break from tradition, the christening of the world’s most famous baby will be as low key as possible. Three months ago, Prince William and his wife Catherine shared their bundle of joy with the world. And just as the royal couple broke with tradition ….
Tags: British royal family , christening , Prince William , Princess Kate , royal baby , royal christening , royalty
Zones: Europe
Reporters: Carla Babb
Hollywood Photographer to Record British Prince’s Christening
October 22, 2013 9:59 AM
Reuters A British photographer known for his portraits of rock stars and Hollywood actors was named on Tuesday as the official photographer of the world’s newest celebrity – Prince George. Prince William and his wife Kate have chosen Jason Bell to photograph the christening on Wednesday, October 23, of their son, the third-in-line to the British throne, a palace statement said. Bell, 44, is an award-winning photographer best known for portraits of celebrities such as musician Paul McCartney, footballer David Beckham ….
Tags: Britain , christening , prince george , royals
Zones: Europe , Arts & Entertainment
Reporters: Reuters
Britain’s Future Monarch Christened in Low-Key London Ceremony
October 23, 2013 12:19 PM
a central London chapel, where he made his first public appearance since his birth in July. Prince George was seen in the arms of his father, Prince William, as the elder prince and his wife Kate arrived at the Chapel Royal in St. James’s Palace for Wednesday’s traditional Anglican Christian ceremony. The infant was wearing a white satin gown, a replica of one made for Queen Victoria’s eldest daughter in 1841. In a private ceremony inside the chapel ….
Zones: World News , Europe
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