USA Global Media Agency to Expand Short‑Form Video and Podcasts in Asia

The United States Agency for Global Media announced a decisive expansion of its digital content formats across Asian markets. Sara Rogers, the agency’s chief, told the Senate Foreign Relations Committee that USAGM will now produce short‑form video series, diaspora‑focused chat groups, and podcasts tailored to the media consumption habits of younger audiences. While the agency continues to operate Voice of America, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, and Radio Free Asia, Rogers stressed that reliance on traditional radio and television must be balanced with modern platforms that dominate the online landscape. She highlighted recent successes tweeting extensive material about Japan and India, where Twitter is a leading news source. The new strategy aims to reach audiences in countries where free information is limited, with a particular focus on Asia, the Middle East, Iran, Afghanistan and Cuba. Rogers outlined a four‑point plan: stabilise the agency’s structure, strengthen leadership, modernise operational processes, and rebuild research capacity to accurately measure reach and viewership. This initiative forms part of a broader U.S. policy to challenge China’s coordinated information operations while reinforcing democratic values through diversified media.