U.S. Agency for Global Media: Difference between revisions
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| agency_name = U.S. Agency for Global Media |
| agency_name = U.S. Agency for Global Media |
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| logo = Logo of the U.S. Agency for Global Media.svg |
| logo = Logo of the U.S. Agency for Global Media.svg |
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| logo_alt = Logo of the U.S. Agency for Global Media |
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| formed = {{Start date and age|1999|10|1|mf=y}} |
| formed = {{Start date and age|1999|10|1|mf=y}} |
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| preceding1 = [[United States Information Agency]] |
| preceding1 = [[United States Information Agency]] |
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| chief1_name = [[Amanda Bennett]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.usagm.gov/who-we-are/the-ceo/amanda-bennett/|title=Amanda Bennett|website=www.usagm.gov|access-date=October 12, 2022}}</ref> |
| chief1_name = [[Amanda Bennett]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.usagm.gov/who-we-are/the-ceo/amanda-bennett/|title=Amanda Bennett|website=www.usagm.gov|access-date=October 12, 2022}}</ref> |
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| chief1_position = CEO |
| chief1_position = CEO |
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| chief2_name = |
| chief2_name = Kelu Chao |
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| chief2_position = Deputy Director |
| chief2_position = Deputy Director |
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| website = {{URL |
| website = {{Official URL}} |
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| agency_type = [[Independent agencies of the United States government|Independent]] |
| agency_type = [[Independent agencies of the United States government|Independent]] |
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}} |
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The '''United States Agency for Global Media''' ('''USAGM'''), known until 2018 as the '''Broadcasting Board of Governors''' ('''BBG'''),<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |url=https://observer.com/2018/08/broadcasting-board-of-governors-us-agency-for-global-media-michael-pack-trump/ |title='Most Worthless' US Government Agency May Become Trump TV |date=2018-08-23 |website=The Observer |language=en |access-date=2019-04-10 |archive-date=April 11, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190411000025/https://observer.com/2018/08/broadcasting-board-of-governors-us-agency-for-global-media-michael-pack-trump/ |url-status=live }}</ref> is an [[independent agency of the United States government]] that broadcasts news and information.<ref>{{Cite web|title=U.S. Agency for Global Media|url=https://www.usa.gov/federal-agencies/u-s-agency-for-global-media|access-date=2021-07-17|website=[[USA.gov]]|archive-date=March 18, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220318085700/https://www.usa.gov/federal-agencies/u-s-agency-for-global-media|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="atlanticSerhan">{{cite magazine |last=Serhan |first=Yasmeen |date=23 February 2021 |title=The Ultimate Symbol of America's Diminished Soft Power |url=https://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2021/02/trumps-war-on-americas-state-funded-broadcasters/618035/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220327001140/https://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2021/02/trumps-war-on-americas-state-funded-broadcasters/618035/ |archive-date=March 27, 2022 |access-date=17 July 2022 |website=The Atlantic}}</ref> It is considered an arm of [[U.S. diplomacy]].<ref>{{Cite book|last1=Garner|first1=Robert|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=hcjXDwAAQBAJ&q=U.S.+Agency+for+Global+Media&pg=PA474|title=Introduction to Politics|last2=Ferdinand|first2=Peter|last3=Lawson|first3=Stephanie|date=2020-03-15|publisher=Oxford University Press|isbn=978-0-19-882061-1|language=en|access-date=May 4, 2021|archive-date=October 9, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211009130928/https://books.google.com/books?id=hcjXDwAAQBAJ&q=U.S.+Agency+for+Global+Media&pg=PA474|url-status=live}}</ref> |
The '''United States Agency for Global Media''' ('''USAGM'''), known until 2018 as the '''Broadcasting Board of Governors''' ('''BBG'''),<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |url=https://observer.com/2018/08/broadcasting-board-of-governors-us-agency-for-global-media-michael-pack-trump/ |title='Most Worthless' US Government Agency May Become Trump TV |date=2018-08-23 |website=The Observer |language=en |access-date=2019-04-10 |archive-date=April 11, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190411000025/https://observer.com/2018/08/broadcasting-board-of-governors-us-agency-for-global-media-michael-pack-trump/ |url-status=live }}</ref> is an [[independent agency of the United States government]] that broadcasts news and information.<ref>{{Cite web|title=U.S. Agency for Global Media|url=https://www.usa.gov/federal-agencies/u-s-agency-for-global-media|access-date=2021-07-17|website=[[USA.gov]]|archive-date=March 18, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220318085700/https://www.usa.gov/federal-agencies/u-s-agency-for-global-media|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="atlanticSerhan">{{cite magazine |last=Serhan |first=Yasmeen |date=23 February 2021 |title=The Ultimate Symbol of America's Diminished Soft Power |url=https://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2021/02/trumps-war-on-americas-state-funded-broadcasters/618035/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220327001140/https://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2021/02/trumps-war-on-americas-state-funded-broadcasters/618035/ |archive-date=March 27, 2022 |access-date=17 July 2022 |website=The Atlantic}}</ref> It is considered an arm of [[U.S. diplomacy]].<ref>{{Cite book|last1=Garner|first1=Robert|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=hcjXDwAAQBAJ&q=U.S.+Agency+for+Global+Media&pg=PA474|title=Introduction to Politics|last2=Ferdinand|first2=Peter|last3=Lawson|first3=Stephanie|date=2020-03-15|publisher=Oxford University Press|isbn=978-0-19-882061-1|language=en|access-date=May 4, 2021|archive-date=October 9, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211009130928/https://books.google.com/books?id=hcjXDwAAQBAJ&q=U.S.+Agency+for+Global+Media&pg=PA474|url-status=live}}</ref> |
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The USAGM supervises [[Voice of America]] (VOA) and [[Office of Cuba Broadcasting]] as well as state-funded<ref name="atlanticSerhan"/> [[Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty]], [[Radio Free Asia]], [[Middle East Broadcasting Networks]] and [[Open Technology Fund]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=USAGM |url=https://www.usagm.gov/networks/ |access-date=2022-03-08 |website=USAGM |language=en-US |archive-date=March 8, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220308212019/https://www.usagm.gov/networks/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6QBBEAAAQBAJ&dq=U.S.%20Agency%20for%20Global%20Media%20%22propaganda%22&pg=PA998 |title=Handbook of Global Media Ethics |date=2 September 2021 |publisher=[[Springer International Publishing]] |editor-first=Stephen J.A. |editor-last=Ward |author-last=Zollman |author-first=Florian |contribution=The Propaganda Apparatus of the National Security State |page=998 |
The USAGM supervises [[Voice of America]] (VOA) and [[Office of Cuba Broadcasting]] as well as state-funded<ref name="atlanticSerhan"/> [[Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty]], [[Radio Free Asia]], [[Middle East Broadcasting Networks]] and [[Open Technology Fund]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=USAGM |url=https://www.usagm.gov/networks/ |access-date=2022-03-08 |website= United States Agency for Global Media (USAGM) |language=en-US |archive-date=March 8, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220308212019/https://www.usagm.gov/networks/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6QBBEAAAQBAJ&dq=U.S.%20Agency%20for%20Global%20Media%20%22propaganda%22&pg=PA998 |title=Handbook of Global Media Ethics |date=2 September 2021 |publisher=[[Springer International Publishing]] |editor-first=Stephen J.A. |editor-last=Ward |author-last=Zollman |author-first=Florian |contribution=The Propaganda Apparatus of the National Security State |page=998|isbn=9783319321035 }}</ref> |
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==History== |
==History== |
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===Early years=== |
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The BBG was formed in 1994 with the passing of the [[International Broadcasting Act]]. The act established a bipartisan board that consisted of nine voting members, eight of whom were to be appointed by the president for a three–year term. The ninth was the [[secretary of state]], also a political appointee, who would serve as an ''[[ex officio]]'' board member for the duration of their term as secretary.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/22/6203#fn002269|title=22 U.S. Code § 6203 - Establishment of the Chief Executive Officer of the Broadcasting Board of Governors|website=LII / Legal Information Institute|access-date=July 6, 2016|archive-date=April 18, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210418154020/https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/22/6203#fn002269|url-status=live}}</ref> At this point, BBG was considered a part of the [[U.S. Information Agency]]. |
The Broadcasting Board of Governors (BBG) was formed in 1994 with the passing of the [[International Broadcasting Act]]. The act established a bipartisan board that consisted of nine voting members, eight of whom were to be appointed by the president for a three–year term. The ninth was the [[secretary of state]], also a political appointee, who would serve as an ''[[ex officio]]'' board member for the duration of their term as secretary.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/22/6203#fn002269|title=22 U.S. Code § 6203 - Establishment of the Chief Executive Officer of the Broadcasting Board of Governors|website=LII / Legal Information Institute|access-date=July 6, 2016|archive-date=April 18, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210418154020/https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/22/6203#fn002269|url-status=live}}</ref> At this point, BBG was considered a part of the [[U.S. Information Agency]]. |
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The first voting members of the BBG, confirmed on August 11, 1995, were David W. Burke, [[Ted Kaufman]], [[Tom C. Korologos]], [[Bette Bao Lord]], [[Alberto J. Mora]], [[Cheryl Halpern]], [[Marc Nathanson]], and [[Carl Spielvogel]].<ref>{{cite report |url=https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/CREC-1995-07-19/html/CREC-1995-07-19-pt1-PgD883.htm |title=Committee Meetings for Thursday, July 20, 1995 |volume=141 |number=117 |date=July 20, 1995 |publisher=U.S. Government Publishing Office |access-date=July 6, 2016 |archive-date=February 2, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180202190339/https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/CREC-1995-07-19/html/CREC-1995-07-19-pt1-PgD883.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> |
The first voting members of the BBG, confirmed on August 11, 1995, were David W. Burke, [[Ted Kaufman]], [[Tom C. Korologos]], [[Bette Bao Lord]], [[Alberto J. Mora]], [[Cheryl Halpern]], [[Marc Nathanson]], and [[Carl Spielvogel]].<ref>{{cite report |url=https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/CREC-1995-07-19/html/CREC-1995-07-19-pt1-PgD883.htm |title=Committee Meetings for Thursday, July 20, 1995 |volume=141 |number=117 |date=July 20, 1995 |publisher=U.S. Government Publishing Office |access-date=July 6, 2016 |archive-date=February 2, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180202190339/https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/CREC-1995-07-19/html/CREC-1995-07-19-pt1-PgD883.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> |
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On October 1, 1999, the BBG was established as an independent agency by the Foreign Affairs Reform and Restructuring Act of 1998.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.federalregister.gov/agencies/broadcasting-board-of-governors |title=Broadcasting Board of Governors |access-date=April 19, 2014 |archive-date=April 17, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210417212009/https://www.federalregister.gov/agencies/broadcasting-board-of-governors |url-status=live }}</ref> |
On October 1, 1999, the BBG was established as an independent agency by the Foreign Affairs Reform and Restructuring Act of 1998.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.federalregister.gov/agencies/broadcasting-board-of-governors |title=Broadcasting Board of Governors |access-date=April 19, 2014 |archive-date=April 17, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210417212009/https://www.federalregister.gov/agencies/broadcasting-board-of-governors |url-status=live }}</ref> |
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The Agency has five broadcasting entities that were established from 1942 - 2004.<ref>{{Cite web |title=USAGM |url=https://www.usagm.gov/who-we-are/history/ |access-date=2023-02-06 |website=USAGM |language=en-US}}</ref> The [[Voice of America]] (VOA) has been in operation since [[World War II]]. [[William Harlan Hale]], a journalist and writer, began the VOA's first radio show by saying "We bring you voices from America. Today, and daily from now on, we shall speak to you about America and the War. The news may be good for us. The news may be bad. But we shall tell you the truth."<ref>{{Citation |title=VOA Celebrates 80th Anniversary |url=https://learningenglish.voanews.com/a/voa-celebrates-80th-anniversary/6422379.html |language=en |access-date=2023-02-06}}</ref> |
The Agency has five broadcasting entities that were established from 1942 - 2004.<ref>{{Cite web |title=USAGM |url=https://www.usagm.gov/who-we-are/history/ |access-date=2023-02-06 |website=USAGM |language=en-US}}</ref> The [[Voice of America]] (VOA) has been in operation since [[World War II]]. [[William Harlan Hale]], a journalist and writer, began the VOA's first radio show by saying "We bring you voices from America. Today, and daily from now on, we shall speak to you about America and the War. The news may be good for us. The news may be bad. But we shall tell you the truth."<ref>{{Citation |title=VOA Celebrates 80th Anniversary |url=https://learningenglish.voanews.com/a/voa-celebrates-80th-anniversary/6422379.html |language=en |access-date=2023-02-06}}</ref> |
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Then, in 1950, [[Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty]] (RFE |
Then, in 1950, [[Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty]] (RFE/RL) went on the air. The [[Office of Cuba Broadcasting]] (OCB) was started in 1985. [[Radio Free Asia]] (RFA) was founded in 1996. |
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===2000-present=== |
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In 2002, BBG launched [[Radio Sawa]], a 24/7 Arabic language radio network that broadcasts news and a mix of Western and Arabic music in the Middle East.<ref>{{cite web |url= |
In 2002, BBG launched [[Radio Sawa]], a 24/7 Arabic language radio network that broadcasts news and a mix of Western and Arabic music in the Middle East.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.radiosawa.com/p/409.html |title=About Radio Sawa |website=Radio Sawa |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160618015038/http://www.radiosawa.com/p/409.html |archive-date=June 18, 2016 |url-status=dead |access-date=July 17, 2022}}</ref> |
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In 2004, Alhurra TV was created as a televised sister network to Radio Sawa and began broadcasting throughout the Middle East. Since its founding, it has established programs such as ''Al Youm'' (''Today'' in English), a daily three-hour news program broadcast from five countries on three different continents;<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.alhurra.com/p/417.html |title=About Alhurra TV |website=Alhurra |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160706025413/https://www.alhurra.com/p/417.html |archive-date=July 6, 2016 |url-status=dead |access-date=July 17, 2022}}</ref> and ''Musawat'' (''Equality'' in English), a program that focuses on women's issues and rights in the Arab world.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://news.newamericamedia.org/news/view_article.html?article_id=9b393121ab0540099706d10f0d84ed0f |title=US-Sponsored Arab TV Station Spotlights Women Others Ignore |date=2010-04-15 |access-date=June 4, 2018 |archive-date=November 24, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171124235137/https://news.newamericamedia.org/news/view_article.html?article_id=9b393121ab0540099706d10f0d84ed0f |url-status=live }}</ref> |
In 2004, Alhurra TV was created as a televised sister network to Radio Sawa and began broadcasting throughout the Middle East. Since its founding, it has established programs such as ''Al Youm'' (''Today'' in English), a daily three-hour news program broadcast from five countries on three different continents;<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.alhurra.com/p/417.html |title=About Alhurra TV |website=Alhurra |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160706025413/https://www.alhurra.com/p/417.html |archive-date=July 6, 2016 |url-status=dead |access-date=July 17, 2022}}</ref> and ''Musawat'' (''Equality'' in English), a program that focuses on women's issues and rights in the Arab world.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://news.newamericamedia.org/news/view_article.html?article_id=9b393121ab0540099706d10f0d84ed0f |title=US-Sponsored Arab TV Station Spotlights Women Others Ignore |date=2010-04-15 |access-date=June 4, 2018 |archive-date=November 24, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171124235137/https://news.newamericamedia.org/news/view_article.html?article_id=9b393121ab0540099706d10f0d84ed0f |url-status=live }}</ref> |
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To oversee Arabic broadcasts, the [[Middle East Broadcasting Networks|Middle East Broadcasting Network]], Inc (MBN) was initiated in 2005. |
To oversee Arabic broadcasts, the [[Middle East Broadcasting Networks|Middle East Broadcasting Network]], Inc (MBN) was initiated in 2005. |
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Other networks were also expanded under the BBG. Voice of America worked with Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty to launch [[Radio Farda]], a Persian-language radio program targeting youth. |
Other networks were also expanded under the BBG. Voice of America worked with Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty to launch [[Radio Farda]], a Persian-language radio program targeting youth.{{cn|date=August 2023}} In 2006, VOA initiated TV Ashna, a one-hour televised news broadcast,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.insidevoa.com/a/voas-tv-ashna-signs-5-year-agreement-with-radio-television-afghanistan-123039623/178535.html |title=VOA's TV Ashna Signs 5 Year Agreement with Radio Television Afghanistan |date=2011-06-01 |access-date=June 4, 2018 |archive-date=June 14, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180614171527/https://www.insidevoa.com/a/voas-tv-ashna-signs-5-year-agreement-with-radio-television-afghanistan-123039623/178535.html |url-status=live }}</ref> and Radio Deewa, a daily radio program of sports, music, and local and international news.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.insidevoa.com/a/a-13-34-2009-01-08-deewa-111607089/178057.html|title=VOA Deewa Radio|website=VOA|access-date=November 30, 2019|archive-date=March 9, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210309141433/https://www.insidevoa.com/a/a-13-34-2009-01-08-deewa-111607089/178057.html|url-status=live}}</ref> |
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In a January 2015 interview with ''[[The New York Times]]'', the then newly appointed CEO of the BBG, Andrew Lack, said "We are facing a number of challenges from entities like [[Russia Today]] which is out there pushing a point of view, the [[Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant|Islamic State]] in the Middle East and groups like [[Boko Haram]]. But I firmly believe that this agency has a role to play in facing those challenges."<ref>{{Cite web|last=Nixon|first=Ron|date=January 21, 2015|title=U.S. Seeking a Stronger World Media Voice|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/01/22/us/broadcasting-board-of-governors-names-chief-executive.html?_r=1|access-date=June 17, 2016|work=New York Times|archive-date=April 17, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160417170306/http://www.nytimes.com/2015/01/22/us/broadcasting-board-of-governors-names-chief-executive.html?_r=1|url-status=live}}</ref> |
In a January 2015 interview with ''[[The New York Times]]'', the then newly appointed CEO of the BBG, Andrew Lack, said "We are facing a number of challenges from entities like [[Russia Today]] which is out there pushing a point of view, the [[Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant|Islamic State]] in the Middle East and groups like [[Boko Haram]]. But I firmly believe that this agency has a role to play in facing those challenges."<ref>{{Cite web|last=Nixon|first=Ron|date=January 21, 2015|title=U.S. Seeking a Stronger World Media Voice|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/01/22/us/broadcasting-board-of-governors-names-chief-executive.html?_r=1|access-date=June 17, 2016|work=New York Times|archive-date=April 17, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160417170306/http://www.nytimes.com/2015/01/22/us/broadcasting-board-of-governors-names-chief-executive.html?_r=1|url-status=live}}</ref> |
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The board of USAGM has an advisory role. It previously supervised USAGM media networks directly, but was replaced with a single appointed chief executive officer (CEO) as part of the [[National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2017]], passed in December 2016.<ref name=":1" /><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.broadcastingcable.com/news/washington/defense-bill-would-abolish-bbg-governing-board/161487|title=Defense Bill Would Abolish BBG Governing Board|last=Eggerton|first=John|date=2016-12-01|website=Broadcasting & Cable|access-date=2017-01-21|archive-date=February 2, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180202073010/http://www.broadcastingcable.com/news/washington/defense-bill-would-abolish-bbg-governing-board/161487|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.politico.com/story/2016/12/donald-trump-voice-of-america-232442|title=Trump to inherit state-run TV network with expanded reach|last=Palmeri|first=Tara|date=2016-12-12|newspaper=POLITICO|access-date=2017-01-21|archive-date=December 16, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191216080255/https://www.politico.com/story/2016/12/donald-trump-voice-of-america-232442|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.govexec.com/oversight/2017/01/trump-arrives-time-gain-influence-over-broadcasting-board/134303/|title=Trump Arrives in Time to Gain Influence Over Broadcasting Board|last=Clark|first=Charles S.|date=2017-01-03|newspaper=Government Executive|access-date=2017-01-21|archive-date=June 29, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190629141143/https://www.govexec.com/oversight/2017/01/trump-arrives-time-gain-influence-over-broadcasting-board/134303/|url-status=live}}</ref> |
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⚫ | State Department Spokeswoman [[Jen Psaki]] clarified Lack's statement in her January 23 press briefing, saying "would the U.S. Government put those three in the same category? No, we |
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In 2018, the BBG changed its name to the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM).<ref name=":2" /> The name change was initiated to help constituents better understand what USAGM does.<ref>{{Cite web |title=USAGM |url=https://www.usagm.gov/who-we-are/history/ |access-date=2023-02-06 |website=USAGM |language=en-US}}</ref> |
In 2018, the BBG changed its name to the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM).<ref name=":2" /> The name change was initiated to help constituents better understand what USAGM does.<ref>{{Cite web |title=USAGM |url=https://www.usagm.gov/who-we-are/history/ |access-date=2023-02-06 |website=USAGM |language=en-US}}</ref> |
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The [[Open Technology Fund]] (OTF) |
The [[Open Technology Fund]] (OTF), launched in 2019, works to advance internet freedom, so USAGM journalists and audiences can have uncensored internet access. Over 2 billion people worldwide use OTF daily.<ref>{{Cite web |title=USAGM |url=https://www.usagm.gov/networks/otf/ |access-date=2023-02-06 |website=USAGM |language=en-US}}</ref> |
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⚫ | State Department Spokeswoman [[Jen Psaki]] clarified Lack's statement in her January 23 press briefing, saying "would the U.S. Government put those three in the same category? No, we wouldn't. However, there are concerns...that Russia's own independent media space is shrinking and the Kremlin continues to apply pressure on the few remaining outlets."<ref>{{Cite web|title=Daily Press Briefing - January 23, 2015|url=https://2009-2017.state.gov/r/pa/prs/dpb/2015/01/236271.htm#BROADCASTINGBOARDOFGOVERNORS|access-date=2016-06-17|website=U.S. Department of State|archive-date=March 4, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200304172245/https://2009-2017.state.gov/r/pa/prs/dpb/2015/01/236271.htm#BROADCASTINGBOARDOFGOVERNORS|url-status=live}}</ref>{{Primary source inline|date=July 2021}} |
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On January 19, 2021, the nonprofit [[Government Accountability Project]], representing fired USAGM employees and whistleblowers, sent a letter to the congressional foreign affairs committees, the [[U.S. Office of Special Counsel]], and the [[Inspector General of the Department of State|Inspector General of the US Department of State]]. The letter said that Pack had hired the [[McGuireWoods]] law firm to investigate USAGM employees and the OTF at a cost of over $2 million in the last quarter of 2020, bypassing US government investigators including USAGM's own Office of Human Resources, and called for further investigation of what it termed a gross misuse of taxpayer dollars.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Seide |first=David Z. |title=Protected Whistleblower Disclosure of Gross Misuse of at Least $2 Million in Taxpayer Dollars by the U.S. Agency for Global Media |url=https://whistleblower.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Government-Accountability-Project-Whistleblower-Disclosure-Regarding-Gross-Waste-by-USAGM-1-19-2021..pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210121114119/https://whistleblower.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Government-Accountability-Project-Whistleblower-Disclosure-Regarding-Gross-Waste-by-USAGM-1-19-2021..pdf |archive-date=January 21, 2021 |access-date=January 20, 2021 |website=whistleblower.org |publisher=Government Accountability Project}}</ref> ''The Washington Post'' later reported that a second law firm, Caplin & Drysdale, had also been granted a similar [[no-bid contract]] in possible violation of federal contracting regulations for a total cost of $4 million.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Farhi |first=Paul |date=January 25, 2021 |title=Former Voice of America overseer hired law firms to $4 million no-bid contracts |newspaper=The Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/media/former-head-of-voice-of-americas-parent-hired-two-law-firms-to-no-bid-contracts-price-tag-4-million/2021/01/25/87a35e7a-5d0c-11eb-a976-bad6431e03e2_story.html |url-status=live |access-date=January 26, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210126011148/https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/media/former-head-of-voice-of-americas-parent-hired-two-law-firms-to-no-bid-contracts-price-tag-4-million/2021/01/25/87a35e7a-5d0c-11eb-a976-bad6431e03e2_story.html |archive-date=January 26, 2021}}</ref> |
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On January 20, 2021, journalist [[Kelu Chao]] was appointed acting CEO of the USAGM, replacing outgoing CEO [[Michael Pack]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-01-21|title=Biden Administration requests USAGM CEO Pack's resignation|url=https://www.usagm.gov/2021/01/21/biden-administration-requests-usagm-ceo-packs-resignation/|access-date=2021-07-17|website=USAGM|archive-date=August 1, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210801005504/https://www.usagm.gov/2021/01/21/biden-administration-requests-usagm-ceo-packs-resignation/|url-status=live}}</ref> |
On January 20, 2021, journalist [[Kelu Chao]] was appointed acting CEO of the USAGM, replacing outgoing CEO [[Michael Pack]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-01-21|title=Biden Administration requests USAGM CEO Pack's resignation|url=https://www.usagm.gov/2021/01/21/biden-administration-requests-usagm-ceo-packs-resignation/|access-date=2021-07-17|website=USAGM|archive-date=August 1, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210801005504/https://www.usagm.gov/2021/01/21/biden-administration-requests-usagm-ceo-packs-resignation/|url-status=live}}</ref> |
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In September 2022, [[Amanda Bennett]], a journalist and Pulitzer Prize-winning author, received bipartisan confirmation by the U.S. Senate to become CEO.<ref>{{Cite web |title=USAGM applauds bipartisan confirmation of Amanda Bennett to be CEO |url=https://www.usagm.gov/2022/09/22/usagm-applauds-bipartisan-confirmation-of-amanda-bennett-to-be-ceo/ |access-date=2023-02-06 |website=USAGM |language=en-US}}</ref> |
In September 2022, [[Amanda Bennett]], a journalist and Pulitzer Prize-winning author, received bipartisan confirmation by the U.S. Senate to become CEO.<ref>{{Cite web |title=USAGM applauds bipartisan confirmation of Amanda Bennett to be CEO |url=https://www.usagm.gov/2022/09/22/usagm-applauds-bipartisan-confirmation-of-amanda-bennett-to-be-ceo/ |access-date=2023-02-06 |website=USAGM |language=en-US}}</ref> |
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Bennett was sworn in as CEO on December 6, 2022.<ref name=bennet_sworn>{{cite web |
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|url=https://www.usagm.gov/2022/12/09/amanda-bennett-sworn-in-as-usagm-ceo |
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|date=2022-12-09 |
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|access-date=2023-09-02 |
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|title=Amanda Bennett sworn in as USAGM CEO |
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|website=U.S. Agency for Global Media |
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|publisher=United States |
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}}</ref> |
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==Organization== |
==Organization== |
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USAGM is led by a single chief executive officer appointed by the president of the United States and confirmed by the [[U.S. Senate]]. Until 2016, it was headed by a bi-partisan board with nine members; eight were appointed by the president with Senate confirmation, and the ninth member ''ex officio'' was the [[United States Secretary of State|Secretary of State]]. By law, no more than four members could be from the same political party, in an effort to limit partisanship.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bbg.gov/about-the-agency/history/legislation/#q304|title=BBG|website=BBG|access-date=January 23, 2014|archive-date=March 10, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160310161131/http://www.bbg.gov/about-the-agency/history/legislation/#q304|url-status=live}}</ref> The president designated one member (other than the Secretary of State) to serve as Chairman. The Board served as a "firewall" against political interference in the journalistic product.<ref>{{Cite web | url=http://www.bbg.gov/about-the-agency/board/ | title=BBG | access-date=January 23, 2014 | archive-date=July 9, 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160709134707/https://www.bbg.gov/about-the-agency/board/ | url-status=live }}</ref> |
USAGM is led by a single chief executive officer appointed by the president of the United States and confirmed by the [[U.S. Senate]]. Until 2016, it was headed by a bi-partisan board with nine members; eight were appointed by the president with Senate confirmation, and the ninth member ''ex officio'' was the [[United States Secretary of State|Secretary of State]]. By law, no more than four members could be from the same political party, in an effort to limit partisanship.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bbg.gov/about-the-agency/history/legislation/#q304|title=BBG|website=BBG|access-date=January 23, 2014|archive-date=March 10, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160310161131/http://www.bbg.gov/about-the-agency/history/legislation/#q304|url-status=live}}</ref> The president designated one member (other than the Secretary of State) to serve as Chairman. The Board served as a "firewall" against political interference in the journalistic product.<ref>{{Cite web | url=http://www.bbg.gov/about-the-agency/board/ | title=BBG | access-date=January 23, 2014 | archive-date=July 9, 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160709134707/https://www.bbg.gov/about-the-agency/board/ | url-status=live }}</ref> |
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Upon the enactment of the [[National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2017]] on |
Upon the enactment of the [[National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2017]] on December 23, 2016<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/114/s2943|title=Pub.L. 114-328|website=Pub.L. 114-328|access-date=June 25, 2021|archive-date=August 3, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210803210557/https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/114/s2943|url-status=live}}</ref> the agency was placed under the direction of a single CEO. The board, officially renamed as the International Broadcasting Advisory Board, was reduced to five members appointed by the president to serve in an advisory role. Previously appointed board members in excess of five could continue to serve, but would not be replaced when their term expired.<ref name=":1">{{cite web|title=Technical amendments to the International Broadcasting Act|url=https://www.bbg.gov/who-we-are/oversight/legislation/technical-amendments-international-broadcasting-act/|publisher=Broadcasting Board of Governors|access-date=May 3, 2017|archive-date=June 5, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190605200321/https://www.bbg.gov/who-we-are/oversight/legislation/technical-amendments-international-broadcasting-act/|url-status=live}}</ref> Under the 2016 reform legislation, any new agency CEO is to be nominated by the U.S. president and confirmed by the U.S. Senate with authority to select key agency personnel. Former USAGM CEO [[John F. Lansing]], who had been selected and approved in 2015 by the BBG Board holding a Democratic majority during the Obama administration, was not nominated by President Obama nor confirmed by the Republican-controlled U.S. Senate, as this was not required under previous legislation. |
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In June 2018, President Trump announced his intention to nominate documentary film producer [[Michael Pack]] to head the agency. He was confirmed by the Senate two years later, and served from June 5, 2020 until January 20, 2021, when he was asked to resign at the request of newly-inaugurated President [[Joe Biden]]. President Biden then appointed Kelu Chao as acting USAGM CEO. |
In June 2018, President Trump announced his intention to nominate documentary film producer [[Michael Pack]] to head the agency. He was confirmed by the Senate two years later, and served from June 5, 2020 until January 20, 2021, when he was asked to resign at the request of newly-inaugurated President [[Joe Biden]]. President Biden then appointed Kelu Chao as acting USAGM CEO. |
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President Biden then nominated Amanda Bennett for CEO. She |
President Biden then nominated Amanda Bennett for CEO. She received bipartisan confirmation from the U.S. Senate in September 2022 and was sworn into the position in December 2022. |
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Past members of the board have included: |
Past members of the board have included: |
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* [[Michael Lynton]] (July 2010 – May 2013) |
* [[Michael Lynton]] (July 2010 – May 2013) |
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* [[Susan McCue]] (July 2010 – May 2014)<ref>{{Cite web | title = Susan McCue - BBG | work = BBG | access-date = 2016-05-16 | url = http://www.bbg.gov/susan-mccue/ | archive-date = June 5, 2016 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160605090507/http://www.bbg.gov/susan-mccue/ | url-status = live }}</ref> |
* [[Susan McCue]] (July 2010 – May 2014)<ref>{{Cite web | title = Susan McCue - BBG | work = BBG | access-date = 2016-05-16 | url = http://www.bbg.gov/susan-mccue/ | archive-date = June 5, 2016 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160605090507/http://www.bbg.gov/susan-mccue/ | url-status = live }}</ref> |
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{{end div col}}In October 2021, the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) published a [https://www.gao.gov/products/gao-22-104017 report] about |
{{end div col}}In October 2021, the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) published a [https://www.gao.gov/products/gao-22-104017 report] about USAGM's organization.<ref>{{Cite web|last=U. S. Government Accountability Office|title=U.S. Agency for Global Media: Additional Actions Needed to Improve Oversight of Broadcasting Networks|url=https://www.gao.gov/products/gao-22-104017|access-date=2022-02-02|website=www.gao.gov|language=en|archive-date=February 2, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220202161107/https://www.gao.gov/products/gao-22-104017|url-status=live}}</ref> |
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==Outlets== |
==Outlets== |
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==Funding== |
==Funding== |
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[[Image:BBG Newsroom.jpg|thumb|300px|Newsroom at the Middle East Broadcasting Networks, Inc., a BBG grantee]] |
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As a federal agency, USAGM's budget request is part of the president's budget request to Congress.<ref>{{Cite web |title=USAGM |url=https://www.usagm.gov/who-we-are/ |access-date=2023-02-06 |website=USAGM |language=en-US}}</ref> |
As a federal agency, USAGM's budget request is part of the president's budget request to Congress.<ref>{{Cite web |title=USAGM |url=https://www.usagm.gov/who-we-are/ |access-date=2023-02-06 |website=USAGM |language=en-US}}</ref> |
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During the federal funding dispute for the fiscal year 2011, President [[Barack Obama]] sided with the BBG agreeing to language that the organization would "expand unrestricted access to information on the Internet."<ref name=Obama>{{cite news|last=Bluey|first=Rob|title=Obama circumvents State Department, supports plan to give BBG $10 million|url=https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/obama-circumvents-state-department-supports-plan-to-give-bbg-10-million|access-date=May 15, 2011|newspaper=The Washington Examiner|date=April 11, 2011|archive-date=March 6, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220306235408/https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/obama-circumvents-state-department-supports-plan-to-give-bbg-10-million|url-status=live}}</ref> The BBG received $10 million from Congress for the purpose of fighting Internet censorship in China and other countries. |
During the federal funding dispute for the fiscal year 2011, President [[Barack Obama]] sided with the BBG agreeing to language that the organization would "expand unrestricted access to information on the Internet."<ref name=Obama>{{cite news|last=Bluey|first=Rob|title=Obama circumvents State Department, supports plan to give BBG $10 million|url=https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/obama-circumvents-state-department-supports-plan-to-give-bbg-10-million|access-date=May 15, 2011|newspaper=The Washington Examiner|date=April 11, 2011|archive-date=March 6, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220306235408/https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/obama-circumvents-state-department-supports-plan-to-give-bbg-10-million|url-status=live}}</ref> The BBG received $10 million from Congress for the purpose of fighting Internet censorship in China and other countries. |
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The agency has $2 million earmarked to the [[2019–20 Hong Kong protests]] through the [[Open Technology Fund]]. This funding was frozen in June 2020 as China was preparing to introduce a new [[Hong Kong national security law|national security law for Hong Kong]].<ref name="time-20200626">{{cite news |url=https://time.com/5860163/trump-hong-kong-funding-freeze/?amp=true |title=Trump Administration Freezes Funds Intended to Benefit Hong Kong Protesters |last=Perrigo |first=Billy |publisher=Time |date=26 June 2020 |access-date=5 July 2020 |archive-date=January 6, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210106230505/https://time.com/5860163/trump-hong-kong-funding-freeze/?amp=true |url-status=live }}</ref> |
The agency has $2 million earmarked to the [[2019–20 Hong Kong protests]] through the [[Open Technology Fund]]. This funding was frozen in June 2020 as China was preparing to introduce a new [[2020 Hong Kong national security law|national security law for Hong Kong]].<ref name="time-20200626">{{cite news |url=https://time.com/5860163/trump-hong-kong-funding-freeze/?amp=true |title=Trump Administration Freezes Funds Intended to Benefit Hong Kong Protesters |last=Perrigo |first=Billy |publisher=Time |date=26 June 2020 |access-date=5 July 2020 |archive-date=January 6, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210106230505/https://time.com/5860163/trump-hong-kong-funding-freeze/?amp=true |url-status=live }}</ref> |
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President Biden's budget request for 2023 includes $840 million for USAGM, which the Agency says will enable them to continue their "vital mission to inform, engage, and connect people around the world in support of freedom and democracy."<ref>{{Cite web |title=USAGM |url=https://www.usagm.gov/our-work/strategy-and-results/strategic-priorities/budget-submissions/ |access-date=2023-02-06 |website=USAGM |language=en-US}}</ref> This is an increase of $29.6 million from the 2022 requested level. |
President Biden's budget request for 2023 includes $840 million for USAGM, which the Agency says will enable them to continue their "vital mission to inform, engage, and connect people around the world in support of freedom and democracy."<ref>{{Cite web |title=USAGM |url=https://www.usagm.gov/our-work/strategy-and-results/strategic-priorities/budget-submissions/ |access-date=2023-02-06 |website=USAGM |language=en-US}}</ref> This is an increase of $29.6 million from the 2022 requested level. |
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In 2018, ''The New York Times'' reported that the Agency had targeted Americans with [[Facebook]] ads for one of its outlets, which would violate the [[Smith–Mundt Act]], a law "to protect Americans from domestic propaganda".<ref>{{Cite news|last=Roose|first=Kevin|date=2018-07-19|title=U.S.-Funded Broadcaster Directed Ads to Americans|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/19/technology/facebook-ads-propaganda.html|access-date=2021-04-11|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=January 9, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210109053640/https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/19/technology/facebook-ads-propaganda.html|url-status=live}}</ref> |
In 2018, ''The New York Times'' reported that the Agency had targeted Americans with [[Facebook]] ads for one of its outlets, which would violate the [[Smith–Mundt Act]], a law "to protect Americans from domestic propaganda".<ref>{{Cite news|last=Roose|first=Kevin|date=2018-07-19|title=U.S.-Funded Broadcaster Directed Ads to Americans|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/19/technology/facebook-ads-propaganda.html|access-date=2021-04-11|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=January 9, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210109053640/https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/19/technology/facebook-ads-propaganda.html|url-status=live}}</ref> |
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In 2023, after [[Twitter]] decided to label the Voice of America's account as government-funded media, a VOA spokesperson told [[NPR]] that the label "causes unwarranted and unjustified concern about the accuracy and objectivity of [its] news coverage".<ref>{{Cite news |last=Folkenflik |first=David |date=April 12, 2023 |title=NPR quits Twitter after being falsely labeled as 'state-affiliated media' |url=https://www.npr.org/2023/04/12/1169269161/npr-leaves-twitter-government-funded-media-label |work=NPR}}</ref> |
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==See also== |
==See also== |
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==References== |
==References== |
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{{Reflist}} |
{{Reflist}} |
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==Further reading== |
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⚫ | |||
==External links== |
==External links== |
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{{Commons |
{{Commons}} |
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* {{Official website |
* {{Official website}} |
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* [https://www.federalregister.gov/agencies/united-states-agency-for-global-media Agency for Global Media] in the ''[[Federal Register]]'' |
* [https://www.federalregister.gov/agencies/united-states-agency-for-global-media Agency for Global Media] in the ''[[Federal Register]]'' |
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* [https://www.federalregister.gov/agencies/broadcasting-board-of-governors Broadcasting Board of Governors] in the ''Federal Register'' |
* [https://www.federalregister.gov/agencies/broadcasting-board-of-governors Broadcasting Board of Governors] in the ''Federal Register'' |
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* [https://www.usaspending.gov/agency/us-agency-for-global-media U.S. Agency for Global Media] on [[USAspending.gov]] |
* [https://www.usaspending.gov/agency/us-agency-for-global-media U.S. Agency for Global Media] on [[USAspending.gov]] |
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⚫ | |||
{{U.S. Agency for Global Media}} |
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{{Broadcasting Board of Governors}} |
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Latest revision as of 18:07, 22 July 2024
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Agency overview | |
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Formed | October 1, 1999 |
Preceding agencies |
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Type | Independent |
Headquarters | Wilbur J. Cohen Federal Building Washington, D.C. |
Annual budget | $810 million (FY 2022)[1] |
Agency executives |
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Website | www |
The United States Agency for Global Media (USAGM), known until 2018 as the Broadcasting Board of Governors (BBG),[3] is an independent agency of the United States government that broadcasts news and information.[4][5] It is considered an arm of U.S. diplomacy.[6]
The USAGM supervises Voice of America (VOA) and Office of Cuba Broadcasting as well as state-funded[5] Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Radio Free Asia, Middle East Broadcasting Networks and Open Technology Fund.[7][8]
History
[edit]Early years
[edit]The Broadcasting Board of Governors (BBG) was formed in 1994 with the passing of the International Broadcasting Act. The act established a bipartisan board that consisted of nine voting members, eight of whom were to be appointed by the president for a three–year term. The ninth was the secretary of state, also a political appointee, who would serve as an ex officio board member for the duration of their term as secretary.[9] At this point, BBG was considered a part of the U.S. Information Agency.
The first voting members of the BBG, confirmed on August 11, 1995, were David W. Burke, Ted Kaufman, Tom C. Korologos, Bette Bao Lord, Alberto J. Mora, Cheryl Halpern, Marc Nathanson, and Carl Spielvogel.[10]
On October 1, 1999, the BBG was established as an independent agency by the Foreign Affairs Reform and Restructuring Act of 1998.[11]
The Agency has five broadcasting entities that were established from 1942 - 2004.[12] The Voice of America (VOA) has been in operation since World War II. William Harlan Hale, a journalist and writer, began the VOA's first radio show by saying "We bring you voices from America. Today, and daily from now on, we shall speak to you about America and the War. The news may be good for us. The news may be bad. But we shall tell you the truth."[13]
Then, in 1950, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) went on the air. The Office of Cuba Broadcasting (OCB) was started in 1985. Radio Free Asia (RFA) was founded in 1996.
2000-present
[edit]In 2002, BBG launched Radio Sawa, a 24/7 Arabic language radio network that broadcasts news and a mix of Western and Arabic music in the Middle East.[14]
In 2004, Alhurra TV was created as a televised sister network to Radio Sawa and began broadcasting throughout the Middle East. Since its founding, it has established programs such as Al Youm (Today in English), a daily three-hour news program broadcast from five countries on three different continents;[15] and Musawat (Equality in English), a program that focuses on women's issues and rights in the Arab world.[16]
To oversee Arabic broadcasts, the Middle East Broadcasting Network, Inc (MBN) was initiated in 2005.
Other networks were also expanded under the BBG. Voice of America worked with Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty to launch Radio Farda, a Persian-language radio program targeting youth.[citation needed] In 2006, VOA initiated TV Ashna, a one-hour televised news broadcast,[17] and Radio Deewa, a daily radio program of sports, music, and local and international news.[18]
In a January 2015 interview with The New York Times, the then newly appointed CEO of the BBG, Andrew Lack, said "We are facing a number of challenges from entities like Russia Today which is out there pushing a point of view, the Islamic State in the Middle East and groups like Boko Haram. But I firmly believe that this agency has a role to play in facing those challenges."[19]
The board of USAGM has an advisory role. It previously supervised USAGM media networks directly, but was replaced with a single appointed chief executive officer (CEO) as part of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2017, passed in December 2016.[20][21][22][23]
In 2018, the BBG changed its name to the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM).[3] The name change was initiated to help constituents better understand what USAGM does.[24]
The Open Technology Fund (OTF), launched in 2019, works to advance internet freedom, so USAGM journalists and audiences can have uncensored internet access. Over 2 billion people worldwide use OTF daily.[25]
State Department Spokeswoman Jen Psaki clarified Lack's statement in her January 23 press briefing, saying "would the U.S. Government put those three in the same category? No, we wouldn't. However, there are concerns...that Russia's own independent media space is shrinking and the Kremlin continues to apply pressure on the few remaining outlets."[26][non-primary source needed]
On January 19, 2021, the nonprofit Government Accountability Project, representing fired USAGM employees and whistleblowers, sent a letter to the congressional foreign affairs committees, the U.S. Office of Special Counsel, and the Inspector General of the US Department of State. The letter said that Pack had hired the McGuireWoods law firm to investigate USAGM employees and the OTF at a cost of over $2 million in the last quarter of 2020, bypassing US government investigators including USAGM's own Office of Human Resources, and called for further investigation of what it termed a gross misuse of taxpayer dollars.[27] The Washington Post later reported that a second law firm, Caplin & Drysdale, had also been granted a similar no-bid contract in possible violation of federal contracting regulations for a total cost of $4 million.[28]
On January 20, 2021, journalist Kelu Chao was appointed acting CEO of the USAGM, replacing outgoing CEO Michael Pack.[29]
In September 2022, Amanda Bennett, a journalist and Pulitzer Prize-winning author, received bipartisan confirmation by the U.S. Senate to become CEO.[30] Bennett was sworn in as CEO on December 6, 2022.[31]
Organization
[edit]USAGM is led by a single chief executive officer appointed by the president of the United States and confirmed by the U.S. Senate. Until 2016, it was headed by a bi-partisan board with nine members; eight were appointed by the president with Senate confirmation, and the ninth member ex officio was the Secretary of State. By law, no more than four members could be from the same political party, in an effort to limit partisanship.[32] The president designated one member (other than the Secretary of State) to serve as Chairman. The Board served as a "firewall" against political interference in the journalistic product.[33]
Upon the enactment of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2017 on December 23, 2016[34] the agency was placed under the direction of a single CEO. The board, officially renamed as the International Broadcasting Advisory Board, was reduced to five members appointed by the president to serve in an advisory role. Previously appointed board members in excess of five could continue to serve, but would not be replaced when their term expired.[20] Under the 2016 reform legislation, any new agency CEO is to be nominated by the U.S. president and confirmed by the U.S. Senate with authority to select key agency personnel. Former USAGM CEO John F. Lansing, who had been selected and approved in 2015 by the BBG Board holding a Democratic majority during the Obama administration, was not nominated by President Obama nor confirmed by the Republican-controlled U.S. Senate, as this was not required under previous legislation.
In June 2018, President Trump announced his intention to nominate documentary film producer Michael Pack to head the agency. He was confirmed by the Senate two years later, and served from June 5, 2020 until January 20, 2021, when he was asked to resign at the request of newly-inaugurated President Joe Biden. President Biden then appointed Kelu Chao as acting USAGM CEO.
President Biden then nominated Amanda Bennett for CEO. She received bipartisan confirmation from the U.S. Senate in September 2022 and was sworn into the position in December 2022.
Past members of the board have included:
- Norman J. Pattiz[35] (May 2000 – March 2006)[36]
- David W. Burke (August 1995 – 2002)
- Ted Kaufman (August 1995 – December 2008)
- Kenneth Y. Tomlinson (August 2002 –)[37]
- Walter Isaacson (July 2010 – January 2012)
- Dana Perino (July 2010 – December 2012)
- Victor Ashe (June 2010 – 2013)
- Michael Lynton (July 2010 – May 2013)
- Susan McCue (July 2010 – May 2014)[38]
In October 2021, the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) published a report about USAGM's organization.[39]
Outlets
[edit]Funding
[edit]As a federal agency, USAGM's budget request is part of the president's budget request to Congress.[40]
During the federal funding dispute for the fiscal year 2011, President Barack Obama sided with the BBG agreeing to language that the organization would "expand unrestricted access to information on the Internet."[41] The BBG received $10 million from Congress for the purpose of fighting Internet censorship in China and other countries.
The agency has $2 million earmarked to the 2019–20 Hong Kong protests through the Open Technology Fund. This funding was frozen in June 2020 as China was preparing to introduce a new national security law for Hong Kong.[42]
President Biden's budget request for 2023 includes $840 million for USAGM, which the Agency says will enable them to continue their "vital mission to inform, engage, and connect people around the world in support of freedom and democracy."[43] This is an increase of $29.6 million from the 2022 requested level.
Reception
[edit]In February 2010, BBG Executive Director Jeff Trimble collaborated with the National Security Council to publish a VOA statement about Iran's jamming[44] of international satellites. In an email to Foreign Policy magazine, BBG's Public Affairs Director responded to the controversy, stating "the BBG 'firewall' served to protect the integrity and credibility of our journalistic products. An official policy statement by a senior management official of the agency is not a journalistic product."[45]
Later that year, Senator Tom Coburn held up the Obama administration's appointments of Michael P. Meehan and Dana Perino to the board, with the aim of drawing attention to the organization's perceived ineffectiveness, stating in an interview with Foreign Policy magazine: "The BBG is the most worthless organization in the federal government. It's full of people who know nothing about media or foreign policy."[45] Senator Jim DeMint also attempted to use the nominations to force a hearing on the BBG after frustrations with a perceived lack of congressional oversight over the organization.[45] Coburn had written an open letter to then–Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell in August 2010 citing "longstanding concerns regarding transparency and effectiveness of our taxpayer funded international broadcasting agencies under the purview of the Broadcasting Board of Governors."[45] Though a report on BBG was eventually given to the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations,[46] Coburn was ultimately unsuccessful in trying to block the appointments to the board.[47]
In July 2016, the chairman of the Broadcasting Board of Governors, Jeff Shell, was denied entry into Russia.[48] Matt Novak, writing for the tech website Gizmodo, referred to the BBG as the "propaganda arm" of the U.S. government and speculated that its alleged role in spreading propaganda on behalf of the U.S. government was the reason Shell was denied entry to Russia.[49]
In 2018, The New York Times reported that the Agency had targeted Americans with Facebook ads for one of its outlets, which would violate the Smith–Mundt Act, a law "to protect Americans from domestic propaganda".[50]
In 2023, after Twitter decided to label the Voice of America's account as government-funded media, a VOA spokesperson told NPR that the label "causes unwarranted and unjustified concern about the accuracy and objectivity of [its] news coverage".[51]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ "USAGM". usagm.gov. Archived from the original on March 8, 2022. Retrieved March 8, 2022.
- ^ "Amanda Bennett". www.usagm.gov. Retrieved October 12, 2022.
- ^ a b "'Most Worthless' US Government Agency May Become Trump TV". The Observer. August 23, 2018. Archived from the original on April 11, 2019. Retrieved April 10, 2019.
- ^ "U.S. Agency for Global Media". USA.gov. Archived from the original on March 18, 2022. Retrieved July 17, 2021.
- ^ a b Serhan, Yasmeen (February 23, 2021). "The Ultimate Symbol of America's Diminished Soft Power". The Atlantic. Archived from the original on March 27, 2022. Retrieved July 17, 2022.
- ^ Garner, Robert; Ferdinand, Peter; Lawson, Stephanie (March 15, 2020). Introduction to Politics. Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0-19-882061-1. Archived from the original on October 9, 2021. Retrieved May 4, 2021.
- ^ "USAGM". United States Agency for Global Media (USAGM). Archived from the original on March 8, 2022. Retrieved March 8, 2022.
- ^ Zollman, Florian (September 2, 2021). "The Propaganda Apparatus of the National Security State". In Ward, Stephen J.A. (ed.). Handbook of Global Media Ethics. Springer International Publishing. p. 998. ISBN 9783319321035.
- ^ "22 U.S. Code § 6203 - Establishment of the Chief Executive Officer of the Broadcasting Board of Governors". LII / Legal Information Institute. Archived from the original on April 18, 2021. Retrieved July 6, 2016.
- ^ Committee Meetings for Thursday, July 20, 1995 (Report). Vol. 141. U.S. Government Publishing Office. July 20, 1995. Archived from the original on February 2, 2018. Retrieved July 6, 2016.
- ^ "Broadcasting Board of Governors". Archived from the original on April 17, 2021. Retrieved April 19, 2014.
- ^ "USAGM". USAGM. Retrieved February 6, 2023.
- ^ VOA Celebrates 80th Anniversary, retrieved February 6, 2023
- ^ "About Radio Sawa". Radio Sawa. Archived from the original on June 18, 2016. Retrieved July 17, 2022.
- ^ "About Alhurra TV". Alhurra. Archived from the original on July 6, 2016. Retrieved July 17, 2022.
- ^ "US-Sponsored Arab TV Station Spotlights Women Others Ignore". April 15, 2010. Archived from the original on November 24, 2017. Retrieved June 4, 2018.
- ^ "VOA's TV Ashna Signs 5 Year Agreement with Radio Television Afghanistan". June 1, 2011. Archived from the original on June 14, 2018. Retrieved June 4, 2018.
- ^ "VOA Deewa Radio". VOA. Archived from the original on March 9, 2021. Retrieved November 30, 2019.
- ^ Nixon, Ron (January 21, 2015). "U.S. Seeking a Stronger World Media Voice". New York Times. Archived from the original on April 17, 2016. Retrieved June 17, 2016.
- ^ a b "Technical amendments to the International Broadcasting Act". Broadcasting Board of Governors. Archived from the original on June 5, 2019. Retrieved May 3, 2017.
- ^ Eggerton, John (December 1, 2016). "Defense Bill Would Abolish BBG Governing Board". Broadcasting & Cable. Archived from the original on February 2, 2018. Retrieved January 21, 2017.
- ^ Palmeri, Tara (December 12, 2016). "Trump to inherit state-run TV network with expanded reach". POLITICO. Archived from the original on December 16, 2019. Retrieved January 21, 2017.
- ^ Clark, Charles S. (January 3, 2017). "Trump Arrives in Time to Gain Influence Over Broadcasting Board". Government Executive. Archived from the original on June 29, 2019. Retrieved January 21, 2017.
- ^ "USAGM". USAGM. Retrieved February 6, 2023.
- ^ "USAGM". USAGM. Retrieved February 6, 2023.
- ^ "Daily Press Briefing - January 23, 2015". U.S. Department of State. Archived from the original on March 4, 2020. Retrieved June 17, 2016.
- ^ Seide, David Z. "Protected Whistleblower Disclosure of Gross Misuse of at Least $2 Million in Taxpayer Dollars by the U.S. Agency for Global Media" (PDF). whistleblower.org. Government Accountability Project. Archived (PDF) from the original on January 21, 2021. Retrieved January 20, 2021.
- ^ Farhi, Paul (January 25, 2021). "Former Voice of America overseer hired law firms to $4 million no-bid contracts". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on January 26, 2021. Retrieved January 26, 2021.
- ^ "Biden Administration requests USAGM CEO Pack's resignation". USAGM. January 21, 2021. Archived from the original on August 1, 2021. Retrieved July 17, 2021.
- ^ "USAGM applauds bipartisan confirmation of Amanda Bennett to be CEO". USAGM. Retrieved February 6, 2023.
- ^ "Amanda Bennett sworn in as USAGM CEO". U.S. Agency for Global Media. United States. December 9, 2022. Retrieved September 2, 2023.
- ^ "BBG". BBG. Archived from the original on March 10, 2016. Retrieved January 23, 2014.
- ^ "BBG". Archived from the original on July 9, 2016. Retrieved January 23, 2014.
- ^ "Pub.L. 114-328". Pub.L. 114-328. Archived from the original on August 3, 2021. Retrieved June 25, 2021.
- ^ "U.S. Broadcasting Board Governor Norman Pattiz to Address Nation's Talk Radio Hosts About Middle East Broadcasting Pattiz To Receive NARTSH Freedom of Speech Award for 2002". Broadcasting Board of Governors. Archived from the original on May 6, 2009. Retrieved March 14, 2010.
- ^ "Norman J. Pattiz". Forbes. Archived from the original on July 20, 2011. Retrieved March 14, 2010.
- ^ Foer, Franklin (August 15, 2005). "Bully Pulpit - Public broadcasting abroad". The New Republic. Archived from the original on November 14, 2009. Retrieved March 14, 2010.
- ^ "Susan McCue - BBG". BBG. Archived from the original on June 5, 2016. Retrieved May 16, 2016.
- ^ U. S. Government Accountability Office. "U.S. Agency for Global Media: Additional Actions Needed to Improve Oversight of Broadcasting Networks". www.gao.gov. Archived from the original on February 2, 2022. Retrieved February 2, 2022.
- ^ "USAGM". USAGM. Retrieved February 6, 2023.
- ^ Bluey, Rob (April 11, 2011). "Obama circumvents State Department, supports plan to give BBG $10 million". The Washington Examiner. Archived from the original on March 6, 2022. Retrieved May 15, 2011.
- ^ Perrigo, Billy (June 26, 2020). "Trump Administration Freezes Funds Intended to Benefit Hong Kong Protesters". Time. Archived from the original on January 6, 2021. Retrieved July 5, 2020.
- ^ "USAGM". USAGM. Retrieved February 6, 2023.
- ^ "BBC joins international protests against Iranian TV interference". TheGuardian.com. January 14, 2010. Archived from the original on March 29, 2020. Retrieved March 29, 2020.
- ^ a b c d Rogin, Josh (April 30, 2010). "Chaos at the Broadcasting Board of Governors". Foreign Policy. Archived from the original on November 1, 2014. Retrieved April 27, 2011.
- ^ "U.S. International Broadcasting - Is Anybody Listening?" (PDF). June 9, 2010. Archived (PDF) from the original on November 26, 2012. Retrieved June 17, 2016.
- ^ "Former BBG Governors". Archived from the original on May 4, 2016. Retrieved June 17, 2016.
- ^ Nixon, Ron; Kramer, Andrew E. (July 13, 2016). "NBCUniversal Executive Is Denied Entry Into Russia". The New York Times. Archived from the original on May 3, 2021. Retrieved July 13, 2016.
- ^ Novak, Matt (July 13, 2016). "Chair of US Propaganda Arm Booted From Russia". Gizmodo. Gawker Media. Archived from the original on August 19, 2017. Retrieved July 13, 2016.
- ^ Roose, Kevin (July 19, 2018). "U.S.-Funded Broadcaster Directed Ads to Americans". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on January 9, 2021. Retrieved April 11, 2021.
- ^ Folkenflik, David (April 12, 2023). "NPR quits Twitter after being falsely labeled as 'state-affiliated media'". NPR.
Further reading
[edit]- U.S. Agency for Global Media: Additional Actions Needed to Improve Oversight of Broadcasting Networks (October 27, 2021) by Government Accountability Office
External links
[edit]![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/4/4a/Commons-logo.svg/30px-Commons-logo.svg.png)
- Agency for Global Media in the Federal Register
- Broadcasting Board of Governors in the Federal Register
- U.S. Agency for Global Media on USAspending.gov