An Overview of USAGM’s Mission, Structure, and Liberal Bias

Introduction

The United States Agency for Global Media (USAGM) is supposed to be an independent federal agency that oversees all non-military, international broadcasting funded by the U.S. government. USAGM should be serving as a vital instrument for promoting freedom and democracy worldwide by broadcasting news and information in regions where access to a “free” press is restricted or unavailable. Unfortunately, liberal bias has infiltrated the corps.

Mission and Vision

The mission of USAGM is supposed to be to inform, engage, and connect people around the world in support of freedom and democracy. USAGM is to strive to achieve this through accurate, objective, and comprehensive news and information dissemination. Its vision is meant to be the world’s leading international news agency, providing reliable and credible journalism to support informed and engaged societies. This mission is difficult to fulfill when most writers, reporters, broadcasters, and editors have both conscious and unconscious biases against conservatives and conservative values.

History and Evolution

USAGM was established in 1994 as the Broadcasting Board of Governors (BBG). It was later rebranded as USAGM in 2018 to reflect its broader mission and scope. The agency traces its roots back to the establishment of Voice of America (VOA) in 1942 during World War II, which aimed to counter Nazi propaganda with truthful news. Over the years, USAGM has evolved to include multiple broadcasting entities, expanding its reach and impact. As with so many government agencies, the need to expand and justify budgets outweighs the original spirit and intentions for the organization. Combatting Nazi propaganda was a necessary strategy during World War II. Today the broadcasts coming from USAGM might be spreading more propaganda than they’re combatting.

Broadcasting Entities

USAGM oversees five major networks that collectively reach an estimated weekly audience of over 350 million people in more than 100 countries:

1. Voice of America (VOA)

VOA is the largest and oldest USAGM network, broadcasting news, information, and cultural programming in over 40 languages. VOA’s mission is supposed to be to promote freedom and democracy by providing accurate and objective news coverage. It reaches a diverse global audience through radio, television, internet, and social media.

2. Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL)

RFE/RL broadcasts in 27 languages to 23 countries in Eastern Europe, Central Asia, and the Middle East. Its mission is supposed to be to promote democratic values and institutions by reporting the news in countries where a “free” press is banned by the government or not fully established.

3. Office of Cuba Broadcasting (OCB)

OCB oversees Radio and TV Martí, which aim to provide the people of Cuba with news and information they cannot access through the state-controlled media. These broadcasts cover a range of topics, including politics, human rights, and culture.

4. Radio Free Asia (RFA)

RFA broadcasts in nine languages to East Asia, including China, North Korea, and Vietnam. Its mission is to deliver accurate and timely news and information to Asian countries whose governments prohibit access to a free press.

5. Middle East Broadcasting Networks (MBN)

MBN operates Alhurra TV and Radio Sawa, providing news and information to the Middle East and North Africa. MBN’s mission is supposed to be to provide objective and accurate news coverage to support democratic values and free societies in the region.

Funding and Governance

USAGM is funded by the U.S. Congress and operates under the guidance of a bipartisan board of governors. The board sets the strategic direction and is supposed to ensure that all broadcasting networks adhere to the highest standards of journalism and ethics. The CEO of USAGM, appointed by the president and confirmed by the Senate, is responsible for the agency’s overall management and operations.

The annual budget for the United States Agency for Global Media (USAGM) is approximately $800 million. This funding enables USAGM to operate its multiple broadcasting networks and continue its mission of providing dependable news and information to audiences in media-restricted regions.

Impact and Challenges

USAGM’s impact should be significant, as it provides millions of people with access to news and information in regions where media freedom is suppressed. The agency should play a crucial role in countering disinformation and propaganda, promoting human rights, and supporting democratic movements.

However, USAGM faces several challenges, including censorship, jamming of broadcasts, and threats to journalists’ safety. It also faces perhaps the biggest challenge – liberal bias within its broadcast entities. It’s difficult to convince journalists that their personal and political biases are reflected in their work when they truly believe they’re checking their biases at the door.

Types of Programs

The broadcasting entities under the United States Agency for Global Media (USAGM) are designed to produce a diverse array of programs, including news, cultural shows, educational content, and discussions on current affairs. These programs are to be crafted to meet the informational needs of audiences in media-restricted regions, providing them with a broader perspective on global and local events. Each entity tailors its content to resonate with the specific languages and cultures of its target audience.

Bias and Objectivity

USAGM’s broadcasting networks are supposed to be striving to maintain a neutral and unbiased stance in their reporting. Their mission is supposed to be to deliver accurate, objective, and comprehensive news coverage, free from political or ideological bias. The content is supposed to focus on factual reporting and should uphold journalistic ethics, aiming to support democratic values and promote freedom of the press. Unfortunately, like most of the news media in the United States, a liberal bias exists and dominates decisions regarding what stories to tell and how to tell them.

For example, VOA’s October 31, 2024, episode of The Inside Story – Closing Arguments is just one example of liberal bias that is shot through the fabric of what has been referred to as comprehensive news coverage. In this episode, just a few days before the 2024 Election, the taxpayer funded VOA had to wade into the topic of whether the 2020 Election was free and fair as so many liberals claim.

A few minutes into the program Katherine Gypson said, “Former U.S. president Donald Trump and many of his supporters still falsely claim the 2020 election was stolen…“  When Gypson said “falsely” she was being dishonest or has blinders on.  What the CIA, FBI, and so-called 51 National Security Experts did in October 2020 likely “stole” the election from Donald J. Trump.  Yet how many times, likely thousands of times has the liberal press, including the taxpayer funded liberal press said that claims of the 2020 election being rigged or stolen have been debunked? The evidence is everywhere to be seen, and it all unfolded in October 2020 when the CIA and FBI interfered with the free press and the election simultaneously. But because liberals and anti-Trumpers like the result, they completely ignore when an egregious scandal and cover-up took place to help Joe Biden “win”.

Conclusion

The United States Agency for Global Media could be a critical component of America’s effort to support freedom and democracy worldwide. Through its diverse broadcasting networks, USAGM could provide reliable news and information to millions of people in regions with restricted press freedom. As the agency continues to evolve and adapt to new challenges, its commitment to promoting accurate and objective journalism free from bias must be reestablished.

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