The US-government funded Voice of America (VOA) and Radio Free Asia (RFA) have announced cuts in their shortwave transmission to Asia, reports Radio World.

Services on VOA Azerbaijani and VOA Lao and VOA Uzbek have been cut by 30 minutes each.

VOA Bangla has been cut by one hour, VOA English in Asia by 6.5 hours and VOA Learning English by 5.5 hours.

RFA Lao and RFA Vietnamese shortwave have been cut by 2 hours each.

Programming continues to be available on other VOA/RFA platforms including online.

The decision by Broadcasting Board of Governors (BBG) – which agency which runs the services – follows similar moves by other international broadcasters as listening on shortwave continues to fall.

The cuts are also a part of BBG’s budget request of $721.26 million for this financial year amid plans to streamline operations.

Speaking to Radio World, BBG spokeswoman Leticia King said: “We continue shortwave to those countries where these transmissions are still reaching significant audiences.  The shortwave reductions will save U.S. taxpayers almost $1.6 million annually.”