A study to analyze selected shortwave broadcasts in terms of the Flesch formula for readibility is presented. The study attempted to qualify elements of style based on their scripted word usage and to compare and contrast the news broadcasts of four countries in terms of gross listenability. A number of studies were conducted which applied the Dale-Chall formula and the Flesch formula, as well as tests on the listenability-readability concept. News scripts of the Voice of America's English language broadcasts to Southeast Asia over the period of one week were examined. In addition, the shortwave news broadcasts of Russia, Britain and West Germany were taped and examined. It was found that on the basis of the scores recorded for the Voice of America broadcast that the news reports may have been prepared at a more difficult level than was intended. The study indicates that the matter of style evaluation should be given serious consideration by U.S.I.A. (CK)