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With the words, "This is a voice speaking from America," the United States entered international broadcasting in February 1942. Since then the Voice of America (voA) has had the role of telling America's story to the world. VOA, the largest single element of the U.S. Information Agency's Bureau of Broadcasting, spends almost $300 million annually and is facing a changing broadcasting environment in a time of budgetary constraints. The Chairman, Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, State, the Judiciary, and Related Agencies, House Committee on Appropriations, requested that GAO review VOA's (1) progress in modernizing its facilities, (2) steps to cut programs and operations in response to decreased funding, and (3) actions to adopt broadcasting strategies reflecting changing technology and world events. VOA broadcasts about 1,060 hours per week in 47 languages to an estimated 127 million listeners. VOA's mission is to provide reliable accurate, objective, and comprehensive news; present a balanced picture of American thought and institutions; and convey U.S. policies clearly and effectively along with responsible discussion and opinions. In the 1980s, the Congress increased funding for VOA so it could begin a $ 1.3-billion program to modernize its broadcasting facilities and increase the n%unber of hours and languages in which it broadcasts. However, in 1987 VOA's budgets began decreasing in real terms. (KAR) P. 3, Report to the Chairman, Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice State, the Judiciary and Related Agencies, House Committee on Appropriations.