VOA Fact Sheet
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 The International Broadcasting Bureau (IBB) is composed of the Voice of America (VOA), WORLDNET Television and Film Service, the Office of Cuba Broadcasting (Radio and TV Marti), and the Office of Engineering and Technical Services. The IBB was established when President Clinton signed the International Broadcasting Act of 1994 (Public Law 103-236), which also created a nine-member, bipartisan Broadcasting Board of Governors (BBG). In October 1999, the Broadcasting Board of Governors/International Broadcasting Bureau was separated from the former U.S. Information Agency and became an independent federal entity as mandated by the Foreign Affairs Reform and Restructuring Act (Public Law 105-277) of 1998. Broadcasting Board of Governors Oversight The Broadcasting Board of Governors (BBG) provides oversight and guidance to the three federally funded elements of the International Broadcasting Bureau and to two non-profit corporations, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) and Radio Free Asia (RFA). The BBG is 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 Board administers congressionally appropriated grants to RFE/RL and RFA, and ensures that the requirements of the grants are carried out. 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 provided its audience with accurate and objective programming. The VOA Charter, written in 1960 and signed into law (Public Law 94-350) on July 12, 1976, upholds this standard. It requires VOA broadcasts to be accurate, objective, and comprehensive; to represent all segments of American society and to present a balanced and comprehensive view of significant 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. 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. IBB on the Internet The International Broadcasting Bureau maintains an Internet Web page at www.ibb.gov to provide information about the BBG, IBB, VOA, Radio and TV Martí, and WORLDNET Television. It offers background information about the IBB broadcast services, the VOA correspondent reports, program schedules (times, frequencies, and satellite circuits), and information about VOA language services. VOA audio files in all 53 languages that are broadcast by VOA are also available on the server. 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. Office of Marketing and Program Placement The dramatic rise in the number of local FM radio and television stations around the world has made a significant impact on how international audiences receive their news and information. Since the late 1980's, international radio and television stations have been rebroadcasting VOA programs to their local audiences. The Office of Marketing and Program Placement was created in 1992 to serve these stations. Today, Voice of America has a worldwide network of over 1,200 affiliates. VOA affiliates can access programs in 53 languages via VOA's global satellite delivery system. Office of Policy The Office of Policy within the International Broadcasting Bureau upholds the third element of the VOA Charter, to ". . .present the policies of the United States clearly and effectively,. . ." and to ". . .present responsible discussions and opinion on these policies." Its staff writes the U.S. Government editorials heard daily on all VOA broadcasts. Guests from inside and outside of government appear on the office’s public affairs program, On the Line, to discuss major policy issues. Working with the U.S. Department of Justice and other law enforcement agencies, the Office of Policy has posted an International Crime Alert page ww.ibb.gov/fugitives/) on VOA’s Web site to help law enforcement apprehend fugitives.
International
Broadcasting Bureau
December 2001 |