International Broadcasting Bureau Washington, DC 20547 Tel: (202) 619-2538 Fax: (202) 619-1241 E-mail: pubaff@ibb.gov

Media Advisory
INDEPENDENCE CEREMONY FOR U.S. INTERNATIONAL BROADCASTING

Washington, D.C., October 12, 1999 – The Broadcasting Board of Governors will host a ceremony to inaugurate the new independence of U.S. government civilian international broadcasting.

The program will begin on October 13 at 11:00 a.m. in the auditorium of the Wilbur J. Cohen Building at 330 Independence Avenue, S.W. Please enter the building through the C Street entrance.

Speakers will include Broadcasting Board of Governors Chairman Marc B. Nathanson; His Excellency Lennart Meri, President of Estonia; and Senator Joseph R. Biden (D-Del.).

The nine-member, bipartisan Broadcasting Board of Governors supervises five U.S. civilian international broadcast services, including the Voice of America, WORLDNET Television, and Radio and TV Marti, along with two grantee corporations—Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty and Radio Free Asia. Eight members of the Board are appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate. The Secretary of State, the ninth member, serves ex officio.

Media wishing to cover the ceremony should contact the Office of External Affairs at (202) 619-2538.
E-mail: pubaff@voa.gov