In an exclusive interview with VOA, Peter Phia Xiong, co-owner of the Hmong Minnesota Radio station and host of its talk show program, says he and three partners established the station in 2003. It is the first Hmong-owned full time radio station in the world.
He says his station operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, mainly in Hmong language dealing with news, entertainment, education and culture.
Peter Xiong says since the station began broadcasting on July 3, 2003, the audience grew from 200 households to about 10,000 households. He expects listenership will increase to about 30,000 households by the end of 2004.
Listen to our interview to hear more of Peter Xiong's remarks.