Overview[]
The Broadcasting Board of Governors (BBG) is responsible for non-military, international broadcasting sponsored by the U.S. Government, including the Voice of America (VOA). Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL), Radio Free Asia (RFA), Radio and TV Marti, and the Middle East Broadcasting Networks (MBN) — Radio Sawa and Alhurra Television. BBG broadcasters distribute programming in 60 languages to an estimated weekly audience of 175 million people via radio, TV, the Internet and other new media. The BBG works to serve as an example of a free and professional press, reaching a worldwide audience with news, information and relevant discussions. An independent federal agency, the BBG is headed by a nine-person bipartisan board that serves as a firewall against political interference in the journalistic product.