voa was organized in 1942 under the office of war information with news programs aimed at europe and north africa occupied by germany. voa began broadcasting on february 24, 1942, but voa noted in its site that it began broadcasting on february 1, 1942. transmitters used by voa came from shortwave transmitters used by the columbia broadcasting system (cbs) and national broadcasting company (nbc). voice of america began to transmit radio broadcasts into the soviet union on february 17, 1947.