Seyfert galaxies come in two types and the difference is thought to be due to anisotropic absorption by dust and gas around the AGN. However, the evidence for the obscuring material has been rather indirect, depending largely on the absence of photons. We are seeking more direct evidence for the existence of the hypothesised obscuring torus by surveying eight nearby Seyfert galaxies (four Sy1s and four Sy2s) that have compact radio cores, using the VLBA. The inner edge of the torus is expected to be ionized and should produce free-free absorption at radio wavelengths. We are looking for the inverted spectra that should be produced by this effect near the jet base in Seyferts.