{{Short description|Agency of the United States government}} {{Redirect|Broadcasting Board of Governors|the organization in Canada|Board of Broadcast Governors}} {{Use American English|date=February 2018}} {{Use mdy dates|date=April 2026}} {{Infobox government agency | agency_name = United States 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}} | 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 (FY 2022)<ref>{{Cite web |title=USAGM |url=https://www.usagm.gov/news-and-information/press-room/ |access-date=March 8, 2022 |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 = Michael Rigas | chief1_position = Acting CEO | website = {{Official URL}} | agency_id = 9568 | agency_type = Independent }}
The '''United States Agency for Global Media''' ('''USAGM'''), known as the '''Broadcasting Board of Governors''' ('''BBG''') from 1994 to 2018,<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=August 23, 2018 |website=The Observer |language=en |access-date=April 10, 2019 |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><ref>{{Cite web |title=U.S. Agency for Global Media |url=https://golden.com/wiki/U.S._Agency_for_Global_Media-5ZPMPBB |access-date=August 18, 2025 |website=Golden |language=en}}</ref> is an independent agency of the United States government that broadcasts news and information for regions of the world with the lowest levels of press freedom.<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=July 17, 2021|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=February 23, 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=July 17, 2022 |website=The Atlantic}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Kahn |first=Gretel |date=April 3, 2025 |title=As Trump silences Voice of America, Russia and China seize the opportunity to reshape Africa's news ecosystem |url=https://www.niemanlab.org/2025/04/as-trump-silences-voice-of-america-russia-and-china-seize-the-opportunity-to-reshape-africas-news-ecosystem/ |work=Nieman Lab}}</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=March 8, 2022 |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=September 2, 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> Many credit Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty in contributing to the defeat of the Soviet Union and Radio Free Asia for breaking the story on Xinjiang internment camps.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news |date=March 19, 2025 |title=Donald Trump shoots his own global mouthpiece |url=https://www.economist.com/international/2025/03/19/donald-trump-shoots-his-own-global-mouthpiece |access-date=May 8, 2025 |newspaper=The Economist |issn=0013-0613}}</ref>
On March 14, 2025, President Donald Trump issued Executive Order 14238 that directed that the USAGM be eliminated "to the maximum extent consistent with applicable law", along with several other agencies.<ref>{{cite web |date=March 14, 2025 |title=Continued Reduction of the Federal Bureaucracy |url=https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/03/continuing-the-reduction-of-the-federal-bureaucracy/ |publisher=The White House |access-date=March 16, 2025}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Bianco |first=Ali |date=March 15, 2025 |title=Trump's next agency cuts include US-backed global media, library and museum grants |url=https://www.politico.com/news/2025/03/15/donald-trump-agency-cuts-00232119 |access-date=March 16, 2025 |website=Politico |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Pager |first=Tyler |date=March 15, 2025 |title=Trump Orders Gutting of 7 Agencies, Including Voice of America's Parent |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/15/us/politics/trump-order-voice-of-america.html |access-date=March 16, 2025 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> Between March and July 2025, 85% of the staff at USAGM and its subsidiaries were eliminated, leaving only 250 employees across the USAGM, VOA and the Office of Cuba Broadcasting. Only the OCB's complement of 33 employees has remained intact.<ref>{{cite news |title=Majority of staff axed at Voice of America |url=https://www.politico.com/news/2025/06/20/voice-of-america-staff-terminations-00415425 |access-date=June 21, 2025 |work=Politico |date=June 20, 2025}}</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–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 United States 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 to 2004.<ref name="USAGM">{{Cite web |title=USAGM |url=https://www.usagm.gov/who-we-are/history/ |access-date=February 6, 2023 |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 |date=February 2022 |url=https://learningenglish.voanews.com/a/voa-celebrates-80th-anniversary/6422379.html |language=en |access-date=February 6, 2023}}</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.
It has been considered an arm of U.S. public 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=March 15, 2020 |publisher=Oxford University Press |isbn=978-0-19-882061-1 |language=en |access-date=May 4, 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 |archive-date=October 9, 2021 |url-status=live}}</ref>{{Page needed|date=June 2025}}{{Verification needed|date=June 2025}}
===2000–2017=== 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=April 15, 2010 |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 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|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=June 1, 2011 |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|date=January 7, 2009 |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 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=December 1, 2016|website=Broadcasting & Cable|access-date=January 21, 2017|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=https://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=December 12, 2016|newspaper=POLITICO|access-date=January 21, 2017|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=January 3, 2017|newspaper=Government Executive|access-date=January 21, 2017|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>
===2018–present=== 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 name="USAGM" />
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-supported technologies daily.<ref>{{Cite web |title=USAGM |url=https://www.usagm.gov/networks/otf/ |access-date=February 6, 2023 |website=USAGM |language=en-US}}</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 national security law for Hong Kong.<ref name="time-20200626">{{cite news |last=Perrigo |first=Billy |date=June 26, 2020 |title=Trump Administration Freezes Funds Intended to Benefit Hong Kong Protesters |url=https://time.com/5860163/trump-hong-kong-funding-freeze/?amp=true |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210106230505/https://time.com/5860163/trump-hong-kong-funding-freeze/?amp=true |archive-date=January 6, 2021 |access-date=July 5, 2020 |publisher=Time}}</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=June 17, 2016|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 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=January 21, 2021|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=July 17, 2021|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=February 6, 2023 |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=December 9, 2022 |access-date=September 2, 2023 |title=Amanda Bennett sworn in as USAGM CEO |website=U.S. Agency for Global Media |publisher=United States }}</ref>
As of 2024, USAGM had an average weekly audience of 427 million with broadcasts in 63 languages.<ref name=":0" />
On January 22, 2025, President Trump named a conservative critic of the mainstream media, L. Brent Bozell III, as his pick to run the USAGM.<ref>{{Cite news |date=January 22, 2025 |title=Trump selects nominee to lead US global media agency |url=https://www.voanews.com/a/trump-nominates-usagm-head/7947135.html |access-date=February 3, 2025 |work=Voice of America |language=en}}</ref> In March, Trump withdrew this nomination and nominated Bozell as ambassador to South Africa.<ref>{{cite news |title=Trump to Name Right-Wing Media Critic Ambassador to South Africa |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/25/us/politics/trump-bozell-ambassador-south-africa.html |access-date=October 8, 2025 |date=March 25, 2025 |language=en}}</ref>
In March, Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) imposed a 30-day total freeze on funding to Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Radio Free Asia, and the Middle East Broadcasting Network, among other USAGM outlets, with the intention of making that permanent.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Kine |first=Phelim |date=March 14, 2025 |title=Radio Free Asia set to furlough most US-based staff due to government funding freeze |url=https://www.politico.com/news/2025/03/14/radio-free-asia-funding-freeze-layoffs-00231780 |access-date=March 15, 2025 |work=Politico |language=en}}</ref> President Trump subsequently ordered the gutting of USAGM to the maximum extent allowed by law in a March 14 executive order.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Bianco |first1=Ali |title=Trump's next agency cuts include US-backed global media, library and museum grants |url=https://www.politico.com/news/2025/03/15/donald-trump-agency-cuts-00232119 |access-date=March 15, 2025 |work=POLITICO |date=March 15, 2025 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=March 15, 2025 |title=Continuing the Reduction of the Federal Bureaucracy |url=https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/03/continuing-the-reduction-of-the-federal-bureaucracy/ |access-date=March 22, 2025 |website=The White House |language=en-US}}</ref> On March 15, journalists from VOA, RFE/RL, and other American-funded media outlets were placed on leave. Critics claimed the order weakens American influence and strengthens America's authoritarian adversaries who are increasing their information warfare efforts, while the White House justified it as cutting taxpayer-funded propaganda.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Leali |first1=Giorgio|title= Trump's move to silence pro-democracy media sparks outrage |date=March 16, 2025 |work=Politico |url= https://www.politico.eu/article/donald-trump-move-silence-pro-democracy-media-voice-of-america-radio-free/ |access-date=March 16, 2025}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Simon |first=Joel |date=June 26, 2025 |title=A Secret Program Allowed VOA to Broadcast Television into North Korea. Now It's Gone. |url=https://www.cjr.org/news/trump-lake-secret-program-voice-of-america-north-korea-tv-broadcast-gone.php |access-date=July 12, 2025 |website=Columbia Journalism Review |language=en |quote=The shutdown of VOA and RFA represents unilateral disarmament in the global information war.}}</ref>
On March 7, 2026, U.S. District Judge Royce Lamberth ruled Lake was ineligible to serve as acting CEO of USAGM from her appointment the previous July to her resignation on Nov. 19. The judge invalidated all actions taken by Lake during that period, including layoffs. Actions taken by Lake when the previous CEO, Victor Morales, delegated his responsibilities to her were also void. Lake accused Lamberth of a "pattern of activist rulings" and said the administration would appeal.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Cheney |first1=Kyle |last2=Johansen |first2=Ben |title=Judge says Kari Lake's tenure atop US media agency was improper, voids actions as 'acting CEO' |url=https://www.politico.com/news/2026/03/07/kari-lake-usagm-judge-00818165 |access-date=March 8, 2026 |work=POLITICO |date=March 7, 2026 |language=en}}</ref>
==Leadership== {{more sources needed|date=November 2025}} 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.<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 House Committee on Foreign Affairs and 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" />
On January 3, 2025, President Joe Biden issued a memorandum designating an order of succession for officials of the agency to act as CEO in the event the office falls vacant. This memorandum was revoked by Donald Trump on January 20, the first day of his second presidency.<ref>{{Cite web |date=January 3, 2025 |title=Memorandum on the Designation of Officials of the United States Agency for Global Media to Act as Chief Executive Officer |url=https://bidenwhitehouse.archives.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions/2025/01/03/memorandum-on-the-designation-of-officials-of-the-united-states-agency-for-global-media-to-act-as-chief-executive-officer/ |access-date=February 27, 2025 |publisher=Biden White House |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=January 20, 2025 |title=Initial Rescissions Of Harmful Executive Orders And Actions |url=https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/01/initial-rescissions-of-harmful-executive-orders-and-actions/ |access-date=February 3, 2025 |publisher=Trump White House |language=en-US}}</ref> Additionally, Trump reportedly dismissed the board members of International Broadcasting Advisory Board during his first week in office.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Trump picks Brent Bozell, conservative media watchdog, to reform troubled U.S. media agency |url=https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2025/jan/23/trump-picks-brent-bozell-conservative-media-watchd/ |access-date=February 3, 2025 |website=The Washington Times |language=en-US}}</ref> USAGM announced in early 2025 that Kari Lake would serve as a special advisor.<ref>{{cite web |last=Jerreat |first=Jessica |date=February 27, 2025 |title=USAGM announces Kari Lake as special adviser |url=https://www.voanews.com/a/usagm-announces-kari-lake-as-special-adviser-/7990843.html |website=VOA News}}</ref> Lake had previously called for imprisoning journalists whose reporting she called "lies".<ref>{{Cite news |last=Dale |first=Daniel |date=October 16, 2021 |title=Fact-checking Kari Lake, serial promoter of election lies and early frontrunner in GOP primary for Arizona governor |publisher=CNN |url=https://www.cnn.com/2021/10/16/politics/fact-check-kari-lake-arizona-governor-election-lies/index.html |access-date=October 17, 2021}}</ref>
===Current board members=== The current board members {{as of|lc=y|df=US|2026|05|24}}:<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 | ''Vacant'' | | | |- ! Member | ''Vacant'' | | | |- ! Member | ''Vacant'' | | | |- ! Member | ''Vacant'' | | | |- ! Member | ''Vacant'' | | | |- ! Member | ''Vacant'' | | | |- ! Member<br>''(ex officio)'' | {{sortname|Marco|Rubio}} | {{party shading/Republican}} | Republican | {{dts|2025|01|21}} | — |}
==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}}
==Reception== {{Npov section|date=May 2025}} In February 2010, BBG Executive Director Jeff Trimble collaborated with the National Security Council to publish a VOA statement about Iran's 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.<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" /> A report on BBG was eventually given to the 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> and Coburn was 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=July 13, 2016|date=July 13, 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=July 13, 2016|date=July 13, 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>{{Undue weight inline|date=June 2025|reason=Tech outlet - maybe if he is being quoted in a policy publication this would be more relevant}}
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=July 19, 2018|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=April 11, 2021|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 2025, ''The Economist'' wrote that USAGM had doubled its audience from 2014 to 2024 despite increased competition, which may be due to its perceived trustworthiness. It also helps to boost local independent media in countries with low press freedom.<ref>{{Cite news |date=March 19, 2025 |title=Donald Trump shoots his own global mouthpiece |url=https://www.economist.com/international/2025/03/19/donald-trump-shoots-his-own-global-mouthpiece |access-date=June 26, 2025 |newspaper=The Economist |issn=0013-0613}}</ref> The Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism wrote that cutting USAGM ceded the information space to autocrats like Russia and China, who celebrated its demise while investing even more in their international efforts to discredit the United States and the west.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kahn |first=Gretel |date=April 1, 2025 |title=As Trump silences Voice of America, Russia and China seize the opportunity to reshape Africa's news ecosystem {{!}} Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism |url=https://reutersinstitute.politics.ox.ac.uk/news/trump-silences-voice-america-russia-and-china-seize-opportunity-reshape-africas-news-ecosystem |access-date=June 26, 2025 |website=reutersinstitute.politics.ox.ac.uk |language=en}}</ref>
==See also== * List of federal agencies in the United States * 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}}
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Category:1994 establishments in the United States Category:Government agencies established in 1994 Category:Independent agencies of the United States government 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