View source for Agency for Global Media

{{Organization
|OrganizationName=United States Agency for Global Media
|OrganizationType=Independent Agencies
|Mission=To inform, engage, and connect people around the world in support of freedom and democracy by providing accurate and objective news and information; to serve as an example of a free and professional press.
|CreationLegislation=International Broadcasting Act of 1994
|Employees=1000
|Budget=$753 million (FY 2019)
|OrganizationExecutive=Chief Executive Officer
|Services=International Broadcasting; Media Development; Internet Freedom
|HeadquartersLocation=38.88748, -77.01567
|HeadquartersAddress=330 Independence Ave SW, Washington, DC 20237
|Website=https://www.usagm.gov/
}}
{{Short description|Agency of the United States government}}
'''United States Agency for Global Media (USAGM)''', formerly known as the Broadcasting Board of Governors, oversees all U.S. civilian international broadcasting, promoting democracy and countering misinformation.

{{Official URL (simple)|url=https://www.usagm.gov/}}

==Mission==

The mission of USAGM is to inform, engage, and connect individuals globally in support of freedom and democracy. It achieves this by offering reliable, objective news and information in languages that reach over 410 million people weekly, acting as a beacon for free and professional journalism.

==Parent organization==

USAGM operates as an independent agency and does not have a parent organization in the conventional sense, though it falls under the oversight of Congress.

==Legislation==

USAGM was established under the [[International Broadcasting Act of 1994]].

==Partners==

* [[Voice of America]]
* [[Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty]]
* [[Radio Free Asia]]
* [[Office of Cuba Broadcasting]]
* [[Middle East Broadcasting Networks]]

==Number of employees==

USAGM employs over 1,000 people.

==Organization structure==

*'''Office of the CEO''' leads the strategic direction of the agency.
*'''Office of Policy''' develops and oversees the agency's policy and strategy.
*'''Office of Internet Freedom''' focuses on ensuring access to free information online.

==List of programs==

* VOA News
* RFE/RL's media services in numerous countries
* RFA's broadcasts to Asia
* MBN's Alhurra and Radio Sawa
* OCB's Radio and TV Martí

==Last total enacted budget==

The last specified budget for USAGM was $753 million for Fiscal Year 2019.

==Leader==

USAGM is led by a Chief Executive Officer.

==Services provided==

USAGM operates through its networks to provide news, information, and educational content worldwide. Its services include radio, television, digital, and mobile platforms, focusing on regions where press freedom is limited or where U.S. policy needs explanation. It also invests in media development and internet freedom technologies.

==Regulations overseen==

USAGM does not directly oversee regulations but operates within the framework set by U.S. law regarding international broadcasting, including adherence to the Smith-Mundt Act, which restricts domestic dissemination of its content.

==Headquarters address==

330 Independence Ave SW, Washington, DC 20237

==Website==

https://www.usagm.gov/

==Wikipedia article==

[[wikipedia:United States Agency for Global Media]]

==External links==
* https://www.usagm.gov/
* https://www.usa.gov/federal-agencies/u-s-agency-for-global-media
* https://www.federalregister.gov/agencies/united-states-agency-for-global-media

[[Category:Independent agencies of the United States government]]
{{Infobox government agency
| agency_name     = U.S. Agency for Global Media
| logo            = Logo of the U.S. Agency for Global Media.svg
| logo_alt        = Logo of the U.S. Agency for Global Media
| formed          = {{Start date and age|1999|10|1|mf=y}}
| preceding1      = [[United States Information Agency]]
| preceding2      = Office of Affiliate Relations and Media Training
| headquarters    = [[Wilbur J. Cohen Federal Building]]<br />[[Washington, D.C.]]
| budget          = $810 million ([[Fiscal year|FY]] 2022)<ref>{{Cite web |title=USAGM |url=https://www.usagm.gov/news-and-information/press-room/ |access-date=2022-03-08 |website=usagm.gov |language=en |archive-date=March 8, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220308211007/https://www.usagm.gov/news-and-information/press-room/ |url-status=live }}</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>
| chief1_position = CEO
| chief2_name     = [[Kelu Chao]]
| chief2_position = Deputy Director
| website         = {{Official URL}}
| agency_type     = [[Independent agencies of the United States government|Independent]]
}}

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 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>

==History==
===Early years===
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&ndash;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 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>

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>

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>

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===
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>

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=usurped }}</ref>

To oversee Arabic broadcasts, the [[Middle East Broadcasting Networks|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.{{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>

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> 

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>

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>

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>

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}}

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>

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>

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>
Bennett was sworn in as CEO on December 6, 2022.<ref name=bennet_sworn>{{cite web
|url=https://www.usagm.gov/2022/12/09/amanda-bennett-sworn-in-as-usagm-ceo
|date=2022-12-09
|access-date=2023-09-02
|title=Amanda Bennett sworn in as USAGM CEO
|website=U.S. Agency for Global Media
|publisher=United States
}}</ref>

==Leadership==
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>

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.

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. 

===International Broadcasting Advisory Board===
The board advises the CEO of the agency, as appropriate. It is composed of seven members, six appointed by the [[president of the United States]] with the consent of the [[United States Senate]], and the [[U.S. Secretary of State]]. Of the six appointed members, one each should be appointed from among four lists of at least three individuals submitted by the chairs and ranking members of the [[United States House Committee on Foreign Affairs|House Committee on Foreign Affairs]] and [[United States Senate Committee on Foreign Relations|Senate Committee on Foreign Relations]]. All six members shall not be regular, full-time employees of the U.S. government, and be appointed on the basis of being distinguished in the fields of public diplomacy, mass communications, print, broadcast or digital media, or foreign affairs. These six are appointed to a single term of four years, but they may continue to serve on the board until a successor is confirmed. Only three of these may be affiliated with the same political party.<ref name="USC">{{USCode|22|6205}}</ref>

The President designates one member to serve as chairperson, with the advice and consent of the Senate. A majority of the members of the board constitutes a quorum, when excluding the Secretary of State.<ref name="USC" />

===Current board members===
The current board members {{as of|lc=y|df=US|2024|12|22}}:<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.usagm.gov/who-we-are/the-international-broadcasting-advisory-board/ |title=The International Broadcasting Advisory Board |author=<!--Not stated--> |date=<!--Not stated--> |website=USAGM.gov |publisher=U.S. Agency for Global Media |access-date=December 22, 2024}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center"
! Position
! Name
! Party 
! Assumed office
! Term expiration
|-
! Chair
| {{sortname|Kenneth|Jarin}}
| {{party shading/Democratic}} | Democratic
| {{dts|2023|12|06}}
| {{dts|2027|01|01}}
|-
! Member
| {{sortname|Kathleen|Matthews}}
| {{party shading/Democratic}} | Democratic
| {{dts|2023|12|06}}
| {{dts|2027|01|01}}
|-
! Member
| {{sortname|Luis|Botello}}
| {{party shading/Republican}} | Republican
| {{dts|2023|12|06}}
| {{dts|2025|01|01}}
|-
! Member
| {{sortname|Michelle|Giuda}}
| {{party shading/Republican}} | Republican
| {{dts|2023|12|06}}
| {{dts|2027|01|01}}
|-
! Member
| {{sortname|Jamie|Fly}}
| {{party shading/Republican}} | Republican
| {{dts|2023|12|06}}
| {{dts|2027|01|01}}
|-
! Member
| ''Vacant''
| 
| 
| 
|-
! Member<br>''([[ex officio]])''
| {{sortname|Antony|Blinken}}
| {{party shading/Democratic}} | Democratic
| {{dts|2021|01|26}}
| —
|}

===Past board members===
Past members of the board have included:
{{div col}}
*[[Norman J. Pattiz]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bbg.gov/pressroom/printerfr.cfm?articleID=16 |title=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 |website=Broadcasting Board of Governors |access-date=March 14, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090506180116/http://www.bbg.gov/pressroom/printerfr.cfm?articleID=16 |archive-date=May 6, 2009 |url-status=dead}}</ref> (May 2000 – March 2006)<ref>{{cite magazine |url=http://people.forbes.com/profile/norman-j-pattiz/86314 |title=Norman J. Pattiz |magazine=[[Forbes]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110720223228/http://people.forbes.com/profile/norman-j-pattiz/86314 |archive-date=July 20, 2011 |url-status=dead |access-date=March 14, 2010}}</ref> 
* [[David W. Burke]] (August 1995 – 2002)
* [[Ted Kaufman]] (August 1995 – December 2008)
* [[Kenneth Y. Tomlinson]] (August 2002 – 2007)<ref name="TNR01">{{cite magazine |url=http://www.tnr.com/article/politics/bully-pulpit |title=Bully Pulpit - Public broadcasting abroad |last=Foer |first=Franklin |author-link=Franklin Foer |date=August 15, 2005 |magazine=[[The New Republic]] |access-date=March 14, 2010 |archive-date=November 14, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091114215348/http://www.tnr.com/article/politics/bully-pulpit |url-status=live }}</ref>
* [[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)<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>
{{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>

==Outlets==
{{div col}}
* [[Voice of America]]
* [[Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty]]
** [[Current Time TV]]
* [[Radio Free Asia]]
* [[Middle East Broadcasting Networks]]
** [[Alhurra]]
** [[Radio Sawa]]
* Office of Cuba Broadcasting ([[Radio y Televisión Martí]])
{{end div col}}

==Funding==
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>

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.

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>

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.

==Reception==
In February 2010, BBG Executive Director Jeff Trimble collaborated with the [[United States National Security Council|National Security Council]] to publish a VOA statement about Iran's [[radio jamming|jamming]]<ref>{{Cite web|url = https://www.theguardian.com/world/2010/jan/14/bbc-joins-iran-tv-protest|title = BBC joins international protests against Iranian TV interference|website = [[TheGuardian.com]]|date = January 14, 2010|access-date = March 29, 2020|archive-date = March 29, 2020|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200329161608/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2010/jan/14/bbc-joins-iran-tv-protest|url-status = live}}</ref> 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."<ref name="thecable" />

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."<ref name="thecable">{{cite news|last=Rogin|first=Josh|title=Chaos at the Broadcasting Board of Governors|url=http://thecable.foreignpolicy.com/posts/2010/04/30/chaos_at_the_broadcasting_board_of_governors|access-date=April 27, 2011|newspaper=Foreign Policy|date=April 30, 2010|archive-date=November 1, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141101173200/http://thecable.foreignpolicy.com/posts/2010/04/30/chaos_at_the_broadcasting_board_of_governors|url-status=live}}</ref> 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.<ref name="thecable" /> 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."<ref name="thecable" /> Though a report on BBG was eventually given to the [[United States Senate Committee on Foreign Relations|Senate Committee on Foreign Relations]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://fas.org/irp/congress/2010_rpt/pubdip.pdf|title=U.S. International Broadcasting - Is Anybody Listening?|date=June 9, 2010|access-date=June 17, 2016|archive-date=November 26, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121126053842/http://www.fas.org/irp/congress/2010_rpt/pubdip.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> Coburn was ultimately unsuccessful in trying to block the appointments to the board.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.bbg.gov/about-the-agency/history/former-governors/|title=Former BBG Governors|access-date=June 17, 2016|archive-date=May 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160504101909/http://www.bbg.gov/about-the-agency/history/former-governors/|url-status=live}}</ref>

In July 2016, the chairman of the Broadcasting Board of Governors, [[Jeff Shell]], was denied entry into Russia.<ref name="Nixon-2016-07-13">{{cite news|last1=Nixon|first1=Ron|last2=Kramer|first2=Andrew E.|title=NBCUniversal Executive Is Denied Entry Into Russia|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/07/14/world/europe/nbcuniversal-jeff-shell-russia.html|work=The New York Times|access-date=13 July 2016|date=13 July 2016|archive-date=May 3, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210503133730/https://www.nytimes.com/2016/07/14/world/europe/nbcuniversal-jeff-shell-russia.html|url-status=live}}</ref> 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.<ref name="Novak-2016-07-13">{{cite web|last=Novak|first=Matt|title=Chair of US Propaganda Arm Booted From Russia|url=https://gizmodo.com/chair-of-us-propaganda-arm-booted-from-russia-1783586298|website=Gizmodo|publisher=Gawker Media|access-date=13 July 2016|date=13 July 2016|archive-date=August 19, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170819145224/http://gizmodo.com/chair-of-us-propaganda-arm-booted-from-russia-1783586298|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>

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>

==See also==
* [[Title 22 of the Code of Federal Regulations]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Further reading==

* [https://www.gao.gov/products/gao-22-104017 U.S. Agency for Global Media: Additional Actions Needed to Improve Oversight of Broadcasting Networks] (October 27, 2021) by [[Government Accountability Office]]

==External links==
{{Commons}}

* {{Official website}}

* [https://www.federalregister.gov/agencies/united-states-agency-for-global-media Agency for Global Media] in the ''[[Federal Register]]''
* [https://www.federalregister.gov/agencies/broadcasting-board-of-governors Broadcasting Board of Governors] in the ''Federal Register''
* [https://www.usaspending.gov/agency/us-agency-for-global-media U.S. Agency for Global Media] on [[USAspending.gov]]

{{U.S. Agency for Global Media}}
{{Authority control}}

{{WikidataCoord}}

[[Category:1994 establishments in the United States]]
[[Category:Government agencies established in 1994]]
[[Category:Mass media companies established in 1994]]
[[Category:United States federal boards, commissions, and committees]]
[[Category:United States government propaganda organizations]]
[[Category:Public broadcasting in the United States]]
[[Category:Democracy promotion]]