US embassy cable - 05BOGOTA3390

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BOGOTA 003390 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: KMDR, KPAO, OPRC, PREL, SNAR, PGOV, CO 
SUBJECT: VOA Delegation Strengthens Relations in Colombia 
 
 
1. (U) SUMMARY: In a visit to Colombia March 15-16, 
Broadcast Board Governor (BBG) Blanquita Cullum, Voice of 
America (VOA) Director David Jackson, and VOA Director for 
Latin America Richard Araujo met with leading Colombian 
broadcast journalists and news directors to discuss VOA 
programming and possible partnerships with Colombian 
broadcasters. The directors of RCN and Caracol, the two 
largest radio and television networks, expressed their 
desire to work closely with VOA, lauding the institution's 
international presence and range of programming. RCN-TV 
representatives hope to establish a strategic alliance to 
carry VOA programming in Colombia. The VOA delegation also 
visited La Sabana University, one of the leading journalism 
schools in the country, to speak to faculty and students 
about VOA activities and the key role journalists play in a 
democracy. University officials offered to work with VOA in 
establishing a student exchange program. END SUMMARY 
 
Radio Networks 
 
2. (U) On March 15, the Delegation met John Camacho, Radio 
Caracol's Production Manager. (NOTE: Acquired recently by 
the Spanish consortium Prisa, Radio Caracol has over 107 
radio stations and 60 rural affiliates with over one million 
listeners, placing second in market share. END NOTE). 
Camacho noted that Caracol Radio has a 25-year relationship 
with VOA, which he would like to continue and expand. He 
also inquired about the possibility of using VOA stories 
during its newscasts, as well as calling on VOA 
correspondents to cover events of interest. Camacho 
underscored that topics related to Colombians living in the 
United States resonate well with domestic audiences, and 
noted that his stations would gladly broadcast exclusive 
news, sport, or cultural programs. VOA director for Latin 
America Richard Araujo provided a comprehensive review of 
VOA programming and encouraged Camacho to visit the VOA 
webpage. 
 
3. (U) At the visit to RCN-Radio, the leading national radio 
network with 127 stations in 76 cities and towns, the 
network's president Fernando Molina remarked that the 
network carries live and recorded VOA news segments 
throughout the day. He expressed an interest in receiving 
additional news segments covering Latin America, 
particularly about Colombians living overseas, and 
additional arts and cultural programming. To maximize its 
presence in Latin America, Molina recommended that VOA join 
Noticiero Solar - the only region wide live newscast 
broadcasted in seven countries (through eight radio 
stations). Molina offered to work with VOA to develop 
programs targeting younger audiences through its youth- 
focused stations. 
 
Television Networks 
 
4. (U) National Television commissioners informed the 
delegation of their regulatory role and promotion of 
educational programming. They expressed strong interest in 
establishing co-educational productions, particularly in the 
arts and education. The commissioners inquired about the 
possibility of equipment transfers/donations to upgrade 
Colombia's public television network's equipment. On a 
regional note, they expressed concerns over President 
Chavez's broadcast ambitions - notably the launch of Telesur 
Satellite Network, and the installation of powerful 
transmission towers along the Colombia-Venezuela border. 
One of the commissioners informed the delegation that 
Venezuela's National Television channel was using the same 
frequency and was broadcasting over the signal of the 
Colombian-TV station that handles VOA programming in Norte 
Santander. (NOTE:  PAS contacted the television station in 
question, and learned that it has subsequently switched 
frequencies. Regarding VOA programming, the station's 
General Manager explained that it mostly broadcasts science 
shows from the 1980s.  END NOTE). 
 
5. (U) At Caracol Television, the top market-share network, 
directors informed the delegation of their desire to expand 
regionally through their international channel and said they 
viewed a possible relationship with VOA as a key part of 
this expansion. The Vice-President of Operations observed 
that participation in Foro Interamericano interviews, and in 
similar political programs, was appealing to the network. 
They expressed a keen interest in showing VOA's English 
Teaching Program exclusively in Colombia. 
 
6. (U) RCN Television's news director proposed a memorandum 
of understanding to work with VOA on a number of issues 
including not only news segments, but also educational and 
cultural programs, and even involvement in documentary 
production. As a possible documentary topic, RCN recommended 
producing a first-hand account of life as a journalist in 
Colombia, focusing on the threats and danger the media 
regularly confronts. Araujo indicated that VOA would explore 
the proposal and work on developing a formal work 
arrangement for exchanges. 
 
7. (U) The delegation concluded its two-day visit to 
Colombia with a visit to La Sabana University to meet with 
the Director and faculty of the School of Journalism, talk 
with students, and observe the facilities. The Journalism 
School Director proposed establishing semester- long 
internship programs. Governor Cullum and Director Jackson 
addressed over 50 journalism students to underscore the 
significant role that journalists play in society.  Governor 
Cullum praised Colombian journalists for their relentless 
pursuit of the truth, even when faced with dangerous 
situations. Finally, the delegation toured the state-of-art 
print and broadcast facilities journalism La Sabana students 
have at their disposal. 
 
 
8. (U)COMMENT: The BBG visit served to reinforce VOA's 
relationship with key Colombian broadcasters. The visit also 
marked the first time a VOA Director has visited Colombia. 
VOA programming is broadcast from more than 75 radio 
stations and on 9 regional television networks in Colombia, 
reaching 4.1 million viewers. However, there is room for 
even more growth as Colombia has one of the largest 
community television networks in Latin America.  The Mission 
believes that VOA has ample room to continue expansion in 
Colombia, and encourages the news service to produce 
additional Spanish-language programming that local networks 
can incorporate into their daily television programming. 
END COMMENT. 
 
WOOD