VOA Fact Sheet
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The International Broadcasting Bureau (IBB) is comprised of the Voice of America, WORLDNET Television and Film Service, and the Office of Cuba Broadcasting (Radio and TV Martí). 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). Eight board members are appointed by the President and confirmed by the U.S. Senate. The ninth ex officio member is the Secretary of State. The Broadcasting Board of Governors supervises the operations of the three federally funded broadcast elements of the International Broadcasting Bureau. The BBG also administers grants of congressionally appropriated funds to Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) and Radio Free Asia (RFA), two non-profit corporations. As mandated by the Foreign Affairs Reform and Restructuring Act (Public Law 105-277), which was passed by the U.S. Congress and signed into law by President Clinton on October 21, 1998, the Broadcasting Board of Governors became an independent federal entity on October 1, 1999, giving it supervisory authority over the IBB, RFE/RL, and RFA. Voice of America The Voice of America broadcasts programming in 53 languages to an estimated 91 million people each week. Since its first 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 directs the operations of Radio and TV Martí—two broadcast services that provide Spanish-language news, features, and entertainment programs to Cuba. In accordance with the Broadcasting to Cuba Act of 1983 (Public Law 98-111), Radio Martí follows Voice of America standards by presenting a variety of news and information in an accurate and objective manner. The station broadcasts seven days a week, 24 hours a day on medium wave (AM) and shortwave. TV Martí programming includes four-and-a-half hours daily of newscasts as well as programs about public affairs, culture, music, sports, and entertainment. The station broadcasts commentary and information about events in Cuba and elsewhere to promote the free flow of information in that country. WORLDNET Television and Film Service WORLDNET Television and Film Service broadcasts news and public affairs reports, programs that reflect American life, and discussions on United States foreign and domestic policies. Program formats include feature magazines, news reports, 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. IBB on the Internet The International Broadcasting Bureau maintains an Internet Web page 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 of the IBB maintains a global network of transmitting stations and leased communications facilities to support all civilian international broadcasters of the U.S. Government. Two new transmitting stations in Sri Lanka and Tinian in the Northern Marianas began operations in 1999. Working with private satellite service organizations, the Office of Engineering manages a complex satellite network to deliver the programs of VOA and RFE/RL to IBB transmitting stations and to AM, FM, and cable broadcasters worldwide. The satellite system also carries WORLDNET and VOA-TV programming directly to affiliated local stations as well as to U.S. embassies and consulates for distribution to local broadcasters and cable outlets. To transmit programs to Asian audiences for RFA, the Office of Engineering has established a network of leased facilities to complement broadcasts from IBB-owned transmitting stations. Engineering also manages the satellite links for Radio Martí’s shortwave broadcasts emanating from the Greenville, N.C., and Delano, Ca., transmitting stations and for TV Martí’s signal to its transmitter at Cudjoe Key, Fl. The Office of Engineering also broadcasts programs from all VOA language services, Radio Martí, and WORLDNET via the Internet. Office of Affiliate Relations and Media Training The Office of Affiliate Relations and Media Training uses a network of satellites, radio bridges, phone feeds, and prerecorded tapes to provide affiliated radio and TV stations around the globe with VOA and WORLDNET programs. Today, 53 language services and WORLDNET provide programming to more than 1,000 radio and TV stations. The International Media Training Center provides instruction in broadcast journalism and station management. For more information, please contact the Office of Affiliate Relations and Media Training at (202) 401-1493 or fax at (202) 401-1494. 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 (www.ibb.gov/fugitives/) on VOA’s Web site to help law enforcement apprehend fugitives. The FY 2000 annual IBB budget funding the operations of the Voice of America, the Office of Cuba Broadcasting, WORLDNET Television, and the Office of Engineering and Technical Services was $302,428,000.
International Broadcasting Bureau / Office of External Affairs
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