United States Agency for Global Media

The U.S. Agency for Global Media is an independent federal agency overseeing public service media networks that provide unbiased news and information in countries where the press is restricted.

USAGM News

Alhurra-Iraq scaling back Baghdad operations, expanding elsewhere

January 13, 2020

Faced with the unstable security situation in Baghdad, serious safety concerns have forced the Middle East Broadcasting Networks (MBN) to take immediate steps to realign its field presence in Iraq, it was announced today. MBN will be eliminating positions in Baghdad, while adding other positions throughout Iraq and in the region. Read More

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Grant K. Turner

From the CEO

The modernization of U.S. international media

As 2019 comes to a close, we find ourselves reflecting on the vital work we are doing and the blend of success and challenges we face. I am struck by how far USAGM has come, not just in the past year, but in the past few years. USAGM has embraced change and is using it to become a more modern, nimble and impactful media agency than ever. I hope you will take a moment to explore these transformations here.

Our Impact

RFE/RL’s Turkmen Service helps improve access to medication in Turkmenistan

May 20, 2019

Following a May 13 RFE/RL Turkmen Service report on an acute shortage of insulin and other life-saving medications in Ashgabat and other parts of Turkmenistan, the Central Pharmacy in Ashgabat resumed sales of insulin. A Turkmen Service correspondent spoke to several diabetes patients who expressed gratitude to RFE/RL for the much awaited relief. Read More

This Year

BBG

Celebrating USAGM's Anniversary

This week, the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM) marks its 20th anniversary. On October 1, 1999, our organization, known then as the Broadcasting Board of Governors (BBG), became an independent federal agency responsible for all U.S. government-funded civilian international media. Though the history of U.S. international broadcasting goes back to 1942, our 20th  anniversary is a significant milestone in our commitment to independent, strategic coordination of the five networks and to advancing the universal value of a free press.

MugshotLearn more about the history U.S. international mediaOur History

Entities

Our Networks

Every week, more than 350 million listeners, viewers and internet users around the world turn on, tune in and log onto U.S. international broadcasting programs. The day-to-day broadcasting activities are carried out by the individual USAGM international broadcasters.

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Voice of America

Voice of America provides trusted and objective news and information in 37 languages to a measured weekly audience of more than 280.9 million people around the world.

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Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty

RFE/RL reaches 37.6 million people in 26 languages and in 23 countries, including Afghanistan, Iran, Pakistan, Russia, and Ukraine.

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Office of Cuba Broadcasting

OCB oversees the Martís—Radio and Television Martí and martinoticias.com—a one-of-a-kind service that brings unbiased, objective information to Cubans.

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Radio Free Asia

RFA journalists provide uncensored, fact-based news to citizens of these countries, among the world’s worst media environments.

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Middle East Broadcasting Networks

MBN is the non-profit news organization that operates Alhurra Television, Radio Sawa and MBN Digital reaching audiences in 22 countries across the Middle East and North Africa.

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Open Technology Fund

The Open Technology Fund is a non-profit organization that advances internet freedom in the world’s most repressive environments to ensure that all people can safely seek, receive, and impart information freely.

““I am in anguish. There is a spiritual hunger in me. I thirst for certain information, but given the way things are in China, my thirst cannot be quenched. I can only tune into your program often. I like your program a lot. Your program moves me so much that I have become an insomniac.””

RFA Listener, Guangxi Province, China

1998

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