Rebuild shortwave transmission capacity over web-only strategy
Mandate warns that deemphasizing shortwave for web technologies is strategically dangerous if undersea cables or power fail in major conflict, and calls upgrades/improvements to USAGM’s global shortwave capability.
Mandate
Mandate Ch. 8 (Media Agencies / USAGM) — Shortwave Transmission Upgrades and Improvements: non-web technologies like shortwave have been grossly deemphasized; vulnerability of undersea cables and wartime outages make shortwave critical for conflict zones and authoritarian states with restricted internet.
Undo plan
1) Maintain multi-platform distribution (digital + shortwave + satellite) rather than shortwave-only reallocation that guts digital reach.
2) Fund resilience studies comparing shortwave ROI to satellite/mesh alternatives.
3) Protect affiliate FM/TV partnerships that carry local audiences.
4) Require national-security review before mothballing transmitters.
5) Verify: published continuity-of-operations plan for denied-internet environments.