Michael Meehan, Susan McCue & Dana Perino meet with VOA reporters Girmay Gebru, Meleskachew Ameha & Eskinder Firew to hear firsthand about their work and experiences.

We had a very full day and a warm welcome in Addis. The focus of our trip is to look for ways to increase VOA broadcasting in Ethiopia.

          — Dana Perino

Our hope is that we will be able to expand VOA broadcasting in the critical areas of development and health, especially maternal health. Healthy moms make for a healthy society.

          — Susan McCue

Ethiopia has one of the highest maternal mortality rates in the world - more than 25,000 women die each year from pregnancy-related complications.

In our meetings with Ethiopian Government officials, we shared our goal of advancing an open and free press. We look forward to working with the government of Ethiopia.

          — Michael Meehan

Posted by David Arnold

This afternoon we toured the new facility of Sheger FM, a VOA affiliate station in Addis Ababa. Governor Dana Perino & station co-owner Meaza Birru observed a live radio broadcast from the control booth. Sheger is one of 2 independent affiliates licensed in Ethiopia.

L to R: BBG Governors Susan McCue and Dana Perino, Sheger Co-owner Meaza Birru, and BBG Governor Michael Meehan