Although most of the interviewers tend to come from within the VOA, as does the host, some are from other media organizations. The program runs 29 minutes in length. This program is a current affairs program, rather than simply a news analysis program, as topics tend to come from the broad spectrum of those currently of interest, rather than originating solely in hard news. The quality of the program is to a large extent dependent upon the interviewers. Given these requirements for quality interviews, Press Conference USA does not meet the mark.
Discussions tend to be overly deferential to the guest.
Questions are asked which allow the guest to explain and defend, but very few are asked which really challenge the guest or which raise negative aspects of the policy or institution under discussion. The interview thus fails to become an in-depth discussion of all aspects of the topic, positive and negative, which would truly advance the education of the listener. Press Conference USA airs to the Americas Sundays 0130. BBC World Service Highlights Waveguide returns to the BBC in September with an eight-part series hosted by Simon Spanswick that looks, as before, to appeal to newcomers to shortwave listening. Americas airings include Tuesdays 1515, beginning September 17th, and Wednesdays 0720.