Open Government

The Broadcasting Board of Governors supports the President’s Open Government Directive and has created this Web page to document its specific actions to implement the principles set forth in the President’s Memorandum:

Transparency: To promote accountability by providing the public with information about the BBG’s activities.

Participation: To allow members of the public to contribute ideas and expertise so that the BBG can make policies with the benefit of information that is widely dispersed in society.

Collaboration: To improve the effectiveness of the BBG by encouraging partnerships and cooperation within the Federal Government, across levels of government, and between the Government and private institutions.

Open Government Plan

In response to the Open Government Directive, the BBG published on April 7 its first Open Government Plan, which details the steps the BBG will take to improve transparency and boost participation by, and collaboration with, the public.  The Plan reflects the input of senior policy, legal and technology leaders in the BBG, as well as input from the general public.  Comments about the BBG’s Plan can be e-mailed to OpenGov@bbg.gov

On April 22, 2010, the BBG submitted its self-evaluation of the Agency’s Open Government Plan to the Office of the President

Data Sources:

In response to the Open Government Directive, the BBG continues to identify and publish high-value datasets through the Data.gov initiative.  BBG has selected the following datasets to publish as part of the Agency’s efforts to expand access to its information by making it available online in an open format:

  • 2008 and 2009 Freedom of Information Act Reports: The BBG has republished its 2008 and 2009 FOIA Act Report to be retrieved, downloaded, indexed and searched by commonly used Web applications.
  • BBG Highlights Reports: The BBG has republished its monthly “BBG Highlights” reports detailing the BBG’s latest accomplishments to be retrieved, downloaded, indexed and searched by commonly used Web applications.
  • BBG Contact Directory: To better encourage contact with the American public, the BBG now provides detailed contact information for every major division and office within the Agency.
  • 2005-2009 BBG Key Performance Indicators: To increase accountability, the BBG has published its Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for FY 2005 through FY 2009.  KPIs include audience and affiliate network sizes and program quality and credibility ratings for each of the BBG’s broadcasters.
  • 2001-2008 BBG Funding Overview: The BBG has published an overview of its funding by component for FY 2001 through FY 2008.  The data covers funding for each BBG broadcasting entity and for broadcast capital improvements.

Records and Reports:

  • Annual Reports: The BBG maintains a digital library of its present and past annual reports detailing its global audience and reach.
  • Budget Submissions: The BBG maintains a digital library of its current and past budget request to Congress.
  • Civil Rights Reports: The BBG is committed to providing Equal Employment Opportunity and provides regular reporting on its progress.
  • FAIR Act: The BBG complies with the Federal Activity Inventory Reform Act and makes available relevant information on its compliance with the Act.
  • FOIA Act: The BBG maintains extensive records of its compliance with the Freedom of Information Act.
  • No FEAR Act: The BBG posts quarterly updates on its compliance with the Notification and Federal Employee Anti-Discrimination and Retaliation Act of 2002.
  • Performance and Accountability Report: The BBG maintains a digital library of its current and past annual Performance and Accountability Reports, which catalog the BBG’s achievements in furthering its mission and its effective use of the resources provided it to it by the Administration, Congress and the American public.
  • Privacy Reports: Numerous resources within the BBG are responsible for advising the Agency on issues relating to privacy.
  • Other Reports: At the request of the Administration and Congress, the BBG conducts reports on other issues of national interest.

Other Information Sources:

In addition to the information presented above, the BBG works to provide the public with additional data about its operation through the following means:

  • BBG Blogs

    BBG Blogs from IBB Director Dick Lobo, VOA Director David Ensor, and more.
  • Contact Us

    Public Affairs
    330 Independence Ave., SW
    Washington, DC, 20237
    (202) 203-4400
    publicaffairs@bbg.gov