 |
Under the supervision of the Broadcasting
Board of Governors (BBG), the International
Broadcasting Bureau (IBB) provides the administrative and engineering
support for U.S. government-funded non-military international broadcast
services. Broadcast elements include the Voice
of America (VOA), Radio Sawa, Radio
and TV Martí (Office of Cuba Broadcasting), and WORLDNET
Television and Film Service. In addition, the IBB provides engineering
and program support to Radio Free
Europe/Radio Liberty and Radio
Free Asia.
The IBB was formed in 1994 by the International Broadcasting Act,
which also created a nine-member, bipartisan Broadcasting Board
of Governors (BBG). The IBB was initially part of the U.S. Information
Agency (USIA). When USIA was disbanded in October 1999, the IBB
and BBG were established as independent federal government entities.
Broadcasting Board of Governors
The Broadcasting Board of Governors (BBG) provides oversight and
guidance to the International Broadcasting Bureau (IBB) and to two
non-profit broadcasting corporations - Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty
(RFE/RL) and Radio Free Asia (RFA). The BBG evaluates the mission,
operation, and quality of broadcasting activities; allocates funds
among various broadcasters; ensures compliance with broadcasting
standards; determines the addition and deletion of language services;
and submits 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.
Office of Engineering and Technical Services
The IBB 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
is also responsible for an extensive network of satellite and other
international communications systems, including the rapidly growing
Internet delivery system. This network broadcasts the programs of
the Voice of America, WORLDNET, Radio and TV Martí, Radio
Free Europe/Radio Liberty, and Radio Free Asia to transmitting stations
and to AM, FM, short wave, 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 Office of Marketing and Program Placement has a dual mission:
to expand IBB's growing worldwide network of more than 1,300 affiliates,
and to market and place programming through FM and medium wave (MW
or AM) radio stations, cable systems, television stations and networks,
and the Internet. The office also facilitates international media
training programs for journalists, station managers, and broadcast
engineers at affiliated stations around the world.
Office of Policy
The Office of Policy produces daily editorials and other programs
that convey official U.S. government policies for use by all VOA
language services and television. 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 on IBB's
web site to help law enforcement apprehend fugitives.
International Broadcasting Bureau
Office of Public Affairs
330 Independence Avenue, S.W.
Washington, DC 20237
Tel: (202) 203-4959
Fax: 202) 203-4960
Email: pubaff@voa.gov
Internet: www.ibb.gov
|
