Social issues, health, politics, unemployment, just about any subject will be debated in a new weekly Voice of America call-in program called Angola, Fala Só.
The half-hour Portuguese language show, which roughly translates to “just say it” in English, was inspired by a popular expression often used in the Angolan capital, Luanda.
Washington host Luis Costa Ribas will take toll-free calls on a range of subjects for Friday’s premier. Callers from anywhere in Angola are welcome to phone in or text-message their questions or comments, creating a national debate on the topics people are most interested in discussing.
The head of VOA’s Portuguese Service, Ana Guedes, said, “The show will not shy away from controversial issues. Everything will be discussed, from politics to rules on social behavior, freedom of expression, or the controversy over independence for the oil-rich Cabinda region. People will have an open platform to express themselves.”
VOA Director Danforth W. Austin said, “The program highlights our ability to create a truly national conversation in Angola by combining the use of SMS, mobile and Internet platforms to gather questions from around the country for a call-in format radio show that will be broadcast to the nation via shortwave and the Internet.”
The show will air Fridays from 6:00 to 6:30 in the evening local time in Africa.
Visit the Angola, Fala Só webpage (click here) for more details about toll free numbers to call with your questions or to listen on-line.
Angola, Fala Só is partly funded by a grant from the U.S. State Department.
For more about the VOA Portuguese Service, visit www.voanews.com/portuguese/news. For the latest news and information in English or any of VOA’s 44 languages, go to www.voanews.com.
