VOA Fact Sheet
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Broadcasting Board of Governors The Broadcasting Board of Governors (BBG) provides oversight and guidance to five U.S. non-military international broadcast services and an Engineering element. They are the Voice of America (VOA), the Office of Cuba Broadcasting (Radio and TV Marti), WORLDNET Television and Film Service, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL), and Radio Free Asia (RFA). VOA, WORLDNET, and the Office of of Cuba Broadcasting along with the Office of Engineering and Technical Services form the International Broadcasting Bureau (IBB), an independent federally funded government entity. RFE/RL and RFA are two non-profit corporations that are funded by congressionally appropriated grants. The Board administers the grants and ensures that these two corporations operate in accordance with the requirements of the grants. The BBG serves as a firewall to protect the professional independence and integrity of the broadcasters. The BBG is also authorized to evaluate the mission, operation, and quality of broadcasting activities; to allocate funds among various broadcasters; to ensure compliance with broadcasting standards; to determine addition and deletion of language services; and to submit annual reports to the President and the U.S. Congress. The BBG is composed of nine members. Eight are appointed by the President and confirmed by the U.S. Senate, and the ninth ex officio member is the Secretary of State. The current members are Marc B. Nathanson, Chairman; Colin L. Powell, Secretary of State; Tom C. Korologos; Edward E. Kaufman; Robert M. Ledbetter, Jr.; Norman J. Pattiz; and Cheryl Halpern. Two seats on the Board are currently vacant. The BBG was created when President Clinton signed the International Broadcasting Act of 1994, which also established the International Broadcasting Bureau (IBB). The BBG became an independent federal entity on October 9, 1999. Voice of America The Voice of America provides programming via radio, television, and the Internet in 53 languages to an estimated 91 million people each week. Since its first radio broadcast on February 24, 1942, VOA has served as a consistently reliable and authoritative source of news for people around the world. The VOA Charter, drafted in 1960 and signed into law in 1976, requires VOA broadcasts to be accurate, objective, and comprehensive; to represent all segments of American society; to present a balanced view of American thought and institutions; and to clearly present the policies of the United States. Office of Cuba Broadcasting The Office of Cuba Broadcasting (OCB) was established in 1990 to oversee the operations of Radio Marti and TV Marti. In keeping with the principles of the VOA Charter, both stations broadcast accurate and objective news and information on issues of interest to the people of Cuba. Radio Marti broadcasts seven days a week, 24 hours a day, on shortwave and medium wave (AM). Broadcasts include news, music, and a variety of feature and news analysis programs. Audience reports based on interviews with Cubans arriving in the U.S. indicate that Radio Marti is one of the most popular radio stations in Cuba despite the Cuban government's effort to jam it. TV Marti broadcasts seven days a week, four-and-a-half-hours daily, providing quality programming including news, sports, entertainment, and features on life in the U.S. and other nations. It also provides commentary and other information about events in Cuba and around the world to promote the cause of freedom in Cuba. TV Marti programming is specifically tailored to meet current Cuban tastes and informational requirements in a format that is culturally and aesthetically familiar. WORLDNET Television and Film Service WORLDNET Television and Film Service broadcasts news and public affairs reports that reflect American life, and discussions on United States foreign and domestic policies. Program formats include news reports, feature magazines, and live call-in shows. WORLDNET programs are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week by satellite through broadcast outlets, cable systems, and direct-to-home satellite receivers. Programs are produced in English and 13 foreign languages. Some are in cooperation with the Voice of America. Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) is a private, international radio service to Central Europe and the former Soviet Union, funded by the U.S. Congress. More than 20 million listeners in countries stretching from Belarus to Bosnia and from the Arctic Sea to the Persian Gulf rely on RFE/RL's daily news, analysis, and current affairs programming to provide a coherent, objective account of events in their region and the world. The service currently broadcasts in 27 languages. Radio Free Asia Radio Free Asia (RFA) broadcasts accurate and timely news, information, and provides a forum for a variety of opinions and voices from within Asian countries. RFA broadcasts in nine languages via shortwave. Its broadcasts seek to promote the rights of freedom of opinion and expression, including the freedom to seek, receive and convey information and ideas through any medium regardless of frontiers. Office of Engineering and Technical Services The Office of Engineering and Technical Services manages, operates, and maintains a complex network of domestic and overseas transmitting stations, including both owned and leased facilities. Engineering also is responsible for an extensive network of satellite and other international communications systems, including the rapidly growing Internet delivery system, to broadcast the programs of OCB, RFA, RFE/RL, VOA, VOA-TV, and WORLDNET to IBB transmitting stations and to AM, FM, shortwave, and cable broadcasters worldwide. In addition, the office supports construction and monitoring functions overseas; plans, develops, and implements renovations and new technical facility projects throughout the world; and maintains, repairs, and upgrades equipment and technology for modern, cost-effective transmissions around the globe. The FY2002 annual BBG budget funding the operations of IBB along with Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty and Radio Free Asia, the two grantee corporations, is $507,656,000.
Broadcasting
Board of Governors
December
2001
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