Thu Sep 27, 7:38 PM ET

WASHINGTON - Voice of America and Radio Free Asia have doubled their broadcasts to Myanmar in response to the military-run government's crackdown on protesters.

The two U.S. broadcasters made the change Wednesday, but it was announced Thursday by the agency that oversees them. Voice of America increased Burmese language programs from 1 1/2 hours to 3 hours daily; Radio Free Asia boosted broadcasts from 2 to 4 hours daily.

"The Burmese people are starving for accurate information, both about the world's reaction to their struggle for democracy and also about what is happening in their own land," said James K. Glassman, chairman of the Broadcasting Board of Governors, the federal government agency that oversees both VOA and RFA. "Our expanded Burmese-language broadcasts are more important than ever in satisfying this hunger."

Separately, Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., and Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., recorded a video message Thursday for the people of Myanmar, which is also known as Burma.

In the video, the two senators sought to let the people know that the U.S. supports their efforts for freedom and democracy.

"Your struggle is our struggle. The world is watching and we are cheering you," McConnell says.

Some 20 percent of adults weekly in cities across Myanmar listen to VOA and RFA.

Programs are available through the Internet at http://www.voanews.com/burmese and http://www.rfa.org/burmese.