International Tibetan Media Organization Officially Launches

International Tibetan Media Organization Officially Launches

The International Tibetan Media Organization (ITMO) is proud to announce its official launch on March 21, 2026.

ITMO was created out of deep concern and a strong call to action from many colleagues at Voice of America (VOA) and Radio Free Asia (RFA) after both Tibetan‑language broadcast services were shut down in March 2025. Their abrupt closure resulted in a near‑total blackout of international Tibetan‑language broadcasting into Tibet and the loss of two highly respected media institutions that had long served Tibetans inside Tibet and throughout the global diaspora.

Following the shutdown, VOA and RFA staff undertook sustained advocacy efforts with the U.S. Administration and Congress, urging the immediate restoration of these essential services. Through these efforts, a broad consensus emerged in support of establishing an independent Tibetan media organization—one that could continue advocating for the restoration of VOA and RFA Tibetan broadcasts while also addressing a renewed understanding of the vital role journalism plays in the Tibetan struggle for freedom and democracy.

The International Tibetan Media Organization is a nonprofit, nonpartisan entity operating exclusively for educational, charitable, and public‑interest purposes within the meaning of Section 501(c)(3) of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code. ITMO was incorporated in the Commonwealth of Virginia on January 13, 2026, and has submitted its application for tax‑exempt status to the IRS

Purpose and objectives of the International Tibetan Media Organization

1. Promote access to independent and reliable media for Tibet
To promote access to independent, reliable, and uncensored media information for the people of Tibet, and to facilitate the accurate and timely dissemination of news and developments from inside Tibet to the international community for educational and public awareness purposes.

2. Support the restoration of Tibetan-Language broadcasting services
To educate and inform the public, policymakers, and relevant institutions about the importance of Tibetan-language broadcasting, and to collaborate with Tibetan organizations, media professionals, and supporters to for the restoration of Tibetan-language broadcasts by the Voice of America (VOA) and Radio Free Asia (RFA).

3. Advance high standards of ethical journalism
To promote and uphold high standards of journalism, including accuracy, fairness, balance, and integrity, and to provide educational resources that help the public recognize, analyze, and respond to disinformation and propaganda that undermine informed public understanding.

4. Strengthen democratic values through media and information exchange
To support democratic values by highlighting the role of independent journalism as an essential pillar of a free and informed society, and to encourage constructive information exchange between Tibetans living in Tibet and members of the Tibetan diaspora worldwide.

5. Support independent Tibetan media production and education
To encourage, support, and assist independent Tibetan journalists and media creators through educational programming, training, research, and public-interest media initiatives, including news reporting, interviews, podcasts, and special features that serve the global Tibetan community.