Some 400 demonstrators appeared outside the Washington headquarters of the Voice of America over its broadcasts to Ethiopia.
In competing rallies -- some supporting VOA's Amharic-language broadcast, others criticizing it -- chanted and waved banners for more than one hour Monday. The police estimated that some 300 people were demonstrating in support of VOA's Horn of Africa Service, and 100 were demonstrating against.
Critics said some of the broadcasts of the Horn of Africa Service are biased against the Ethiopian government. But the VOA's Horn of Africa Service, Timothy Spence, said VOA is committed to reporting the news fairly and to provide information.
"VOA's employees are required to adhere to strict standards of neutrality, objectivity and ethics. We seek information from all voices in the Horn of Africa, whether the news is good or bad, and we will continue to do so," Mr. Spence said. "We also welcome feedback from our listeners, and respect the right of people to express their views."
