Tibetan Service Listener and Reader Comments
I always listen to RFA to know the latest news on Tibetan issues. In China, it’s not safe to send messages on sensitive topics like the Tibetan issue, Taiwan issues, democracy, etc. I want to send a message by my German friend …
Sincerely,
(name withheld - Tibetan listener)
“There is nothing that I have to say or suggest for improvement. We the Tibetans inside Tibet really appreciate your good work. The news and other programs that you broadcast from Radio Free Asia are very clear, true and factual. It is so important to broadcast facts and tell true stories. In Tibet we talk among ourselves that if we want to know real news and stories about the world, we should listen to RFA and VOA. The programs are real, based on facts, and transparent. There are Tibetan language radio broadcasts inside Tibet but no one believes their programs. Even Chinese themselves confess that those radio programs don’t tell true stories about China and Chinese people. If their own stories are not factual, how can we expect the Tibetan stories they air on their programs to be true? Your radio programs tell true stories about the world and expose your audience to real world stories which we appreciate. You make programs every day and show no signs of fatigue and frustration.”—Tibetan caller
“It is true that the Chinese are jamming your programs in Tibet, particularly in the cities. It is some what hard to hear over the jamming. However, your programs reach your audience either directly or indirectly. Tibetans share what they heard from RFA and VOA. Sometimes it may not be clear but becomes clear later. For example message of His Holiness the Dalai Lama for Tibetans inside Tibet during the three days of the Kalachara teaching were heard by all and many Tibetans inside Tibet secretly tried to practice his guidelines.”—Tibetan caller
“In the beginning, many in the Kham and Amdo regions could not understand the Uke dialect. Of course we have Kham and Amdo dialect programs—half an hour each. But your radio programs helped many Tibetans in the Kham and Amdo areas understand the Uke dialect. Your programs had a great impact on the Tibetan audience. Now the Uke that you speak is different from the Uke spoken in Lhasa area. People find it easier to understand Uke that you all speak on the radio. Therefore there are many Tibetans who listen and if people do not call it should not be misconstrued as lack of audience.”—Tibetan caller
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“Particularly, at present, from among all other radio services Radio Free Asia is the one that attracts all the attention of Tibetans in Tibet. What is the reason behind this? This year many people from my own locality visited here [India] from Tibet. Now, during the past two or three years Radio Free Asia has aired tremendous amount of programs and especially news. I myself had already forgotten what I said, but those, who came from Tibet this year for the Kalachakra empowerment, repeated the same things back to me. I, therefore, think that radio news service has a huge impact upon the Tibetan society. I myself understood the reasons.
“Secondly, His Holiness the Dalai Lama this year, advised very strongly about the stoppage of using tiger and leopard skins as ornaments. Even though his advice was disseminated through a variety of media outlets including the radio, inside Tibet certain media outlets like the inter-net and newspapers are strictly blocked or banned. But even though many attempts were being made to block the radio news, due to lack of necessary technology these could not be blocked. So whatever His Holiness the Dalai Lama said was aired live through the medium of radio that was very powerful…Whether it is the advice of His Holiness the Dalai Lama or any agenda from the Tibetan government in exile, from all the sides, the medium of radio plays a huge role in the interaction between the Tibetans inside Tibet and in exile. So if you look from that perspective, I think, it is excellent.
“Then specifically, for example, in the call-in program of Radio Free Asia, there is an opportunity for those in Mainland China who take interest in the Tibetan issue to publicly discuss the issue irrespective of their opinions. That is also very good. Whereas I, myself, am concerned, I am a regular listener of Radio Free Asia. So I think there is no other medium that is better than RFA. So it is a great achievement and we need to be proud of it. By knowing that it is a great achievement, it is important that those of you who are involved in this service, should feel proud and work accordingly. So I thought I should tell you this first.”—Tibetan hotline caller, March 3, 2006
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“If we think of political awareness and national loyalty among Tibetans some 10 or 15 years and now, the level of awareness and loyalty had increased two-, three-, or even four-fold. In the past, the Tibetans were so suppressed that they could not afford to think of politics and national loyalty. There were no Tibetan radio programs as there are now. Now in Tibet, everywhere including in the most remote villages and nomadic areas, the Tibetans talk of concerns of Tibet and Tibetans.”—Tibetan caller
“It is true that devices are installed to jam foreign broadcasts. That is truer in cities and towns. In some cities, the Chinese have installed two, three, or four towers to jam. The Chinese explained them as device to protect from lightening hazards. In realty they are raised to jam foreign broadcasts.”—Tibetan caller
“I think there are a little over 30 staffers in RFA’s Tibetan service and there is other American radio. On behalf of all the Tibetans inside Tibet I would like to thank you for working every day to produce and air programs. It is an immense service to us, the Tibetans inside Tibet. I would like to thank all staff from the core of my heart.” —Tibetan caller
“Dear Respectable Director Mr. Ngapo Jigme and all Staff Members of RFA, Tibetan Section: Since the beginning of February, I have been unable to listen to Radio Free Asia, which is my normal daily routine in Dharamsala, because I have been traveling in different places. Now, I am here at Thubten Dhargye Ling Buddhist Center in Long Beach, CA and I have the facility to send you this e-mail message. First, I would like to send Tashi Delek to all of you for our New Year! Secondly, on this New Year occasion, I would like to express my deep appreciation of your up-to-date, informative, and good educational programs, with enthusiasm, excellent talent, and vast knowledge. I have learned many new and different subjects from your radio programs. I consider all of you my good teachers. I always urge other Tibetans to listen to RFA to broaden their knowledge. I look forward to meeting you again in the near future. With my best wishes and sincere prayers for your continuous success in this New Year and all the following years. Yours sincerely, Narkyid Ngawangthondup.”—Letter to Tibetan service
"[RFA] understands exactly how it is in Tibet. They broadcast each day's news… In fact, an event that happens in Lhasa of which even Lhasa residents are unaware gets broadcast by RFA. That is really amazing."—Tibetan Listener
"I am now able to listen to the Tibetan news program on the Internet. What great stuff to spend time with!"—Tibetan Listener
"Within a short span of time, RFA has come a long way in enlightening the Tibetan people with the latest daily news that we as a struggling people should be aware of. You have won our hearts and our reliance on you has skyrocketed. We hope that you keep up the good work and continuously strive towards achieving excellence in your news services."—Tibetan Listener
"The outstanding features of RFA are your ability to feature diverse programs that focus not only on news. I applaud the uniqueness, creativity, and innovation of your programs."—Tibetan Listener