Background
Voice of America (VOA) provides trusted and objective news and information in 45 languages to a measured weekly audience of more than 236.6 million people around the world. For nearly 75 years, VOA journalists have told American stories and supplied content that many people cannot get locally: objective news and information about the US, their region and the world. VOA uses the devices and platforms target markets use to connect audiences on five continents with the people, thoughts and institutions that make America unique.
Behind the scenes, VOA maintains a small list of prewritten obituaries, for politicians and world leaders that are still alive.
I have attempted to retrieve the obituaries themselves, however they are denied as being labeled “draft” documents, and therefore not subject to the FOIA. On January 26, 2017, I appealed this decision and am currently awaiting their response. This page will be updated when available.
Despite that, below, you will find the lists released.
Declassified Documents
Broadcasting Board of Governors (BBG) Voice of America (VOA) Pre-Written Obituary List, released January 2017 [3 Pages, 1.0MB]
https://documents.theblackvault.com/documents/bbg/BBG-ObitList-012017.pdf
Older Releases
Broadcasting Board of Governors (BBG) Voice of America (VOA) Pre-Written Obituary List, released May 2016 [2 Pages, 0.9MB]
https://documents.theblackvault.com/documents/bbg/bbg-obits-may2016.pdf
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