Board for International Broadcasting
Encyclopedia
The Board for International Broadcasting (BIB) is a commission established in the United States as a privately incorporated organization in 1973 by the International Broadcasting Act of 1973, Public Law 93-129, on October 19, 1973. This primarily covered Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL), established as an option to USSR broadcasting during the Cold War
. In 1994, President Bill Clinton
signed the International Broadcasting Act into law. This act disbanded the BIB and put control of the RFE/RL under the newly created bipartisan Broadcasting Board of Governors
(BBG).
and Radio Liberty during the Nixon Administration. It was established as a recommendation of the Milton Eisenhower Commission to help promote the mission of RFE/RL. BIB took over financing and operation of broadcasting stations formerly funded by the CIA.
It was replaced by the BBG, who oversees RFE/FL, Voice of America
, Radio Marti and others.
"to provide an effective instrumentality for the continuation of assistance to Radio Free Europe and Radio Liberty and to encourage a constructive dialog with the peoples of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics and Eastern Europe."
Members of the board, according to the bi-laws are "selected by the President from among Americans distinguished in the fields of foreign policy or mass communications" and cannot be concurrently full time employees of the government.
was appointed in 1985 as the Chairman and served during the Reagan Administration
. He was reappointed by President George H.W. Bush.
Dr. John A. Gronouski, professor of economics and public affairs at the University of Texas at Austin
, served as Chairman of the Board during the Carter Administration.
Cold War
The Cold War was the continuing state from roughly 1946 to 1991 of political conflict, military tension, proxy wars, and economic competition between the Communist World—primarily the Soviet Union and its satellite states and allies—and the powers of the Western world, primarily the United States...
. In 1994, President Bill Clinton
Bill Clinton
William Jefferson "Bill" Clinton is an American politician who served as the 42nd President of the United States from 1993 to 2001. Inaugurated at age 46, he was the third-youngest president. He took office at the end of the Cold War, and was the first president of the baby boomer generation...
signed the International Broadcasting Act into law. This act disbanded the BIB and put control of the RFE/RL under the newly created bipartisan Broadcasting Board of Governors
Broadcasting Board of Governors
The Broadcasting Board of Governors is an independent agency of the United States government responsible for all non-military, international broadcasting sponsored by the U.S government. It was previously a department within the United States Information Agency until 1999.-Origins:Starting in...
(BBG).
History
Created in 1973 to oversee Radio Free EuropeRadio Free Europe
Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty is a broadcaster funded by the U.S. Congress that provides news, information, and analysis to countries in Eastern Europe, Central Asia, and the Middle East "where the free flow of information is either banned by government authorities or not fully developed"...
and Radio Liberty during the Nixon Administration. It was established as a recommendation of the Milton Eisenhower Commission to help promote the mission of RFE/RL. BIB took over financing and operation of broadcasting stations formerly funded by the CIA.
It was replaced by the BBG, who oversees RFE/FL, Voice of America
Voice of America
Voice of America is the official external broadcast institution of the United States federal government. It is one of five civilian U.S. international broadcasters working under the umbrella of the Broadcasting Board of Governors . VOA provides a wide range of programming for broadcast on radio...
, Radio Marti and others.
Mission
The aim of the board is:"to provide an effective instrumentality for the continuation of assistance to Radio Free Europe and Radio Liberty and to encourage a constructive dialog with the peoples of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics and Eastern Europe."
Members of the board, according to the bi-laws are "selected by the President from among Americans distinguished in the fields of foreign policy or mass communications" and cannot be concurrently full time employees of the government.
Chairmen
Steve ForbesSteve Forbes
Malcolm Stevenson "Steve" Forbes, Jr. is an American editor, publisher, and businessman. He is the editor-in-chief of business magazine Forbes as well as president and chief executive officer of its publisher, Forbes Inc. He was a Republican candidate in the U.S. Presidential primaries in 1996...
was appointed in 1985 as the Chairman and served during the Reagan Administration
Reagan Administration
The United States presidency of Ronald Reagan, also known as the Reagan administration, was a Republican administration headed by Ronald Reagan from January 20, 1981, to January 20, 1989....
. He was reappointed by President George H.W. Bush.
Dr. John A. Gronouski, professor of economics and public affairs at the University of Texas at Austin
University of Texas at Austin
The University of Texas at Austin is a state research university located in Austin, Texas, USA, and is the flagship institution of the The University of Texas System. Founded in 1883, its campus is located approximately from the Texas State Capitol in Austin...
, served as Chairman of the Board during the Carter Administration.