CUSIB’s Ann Noonan in Radio World: U.S. international broadcasting needs new vision and better management

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CUSIB’s Ann Noonan in Radio World: U.S. international broadcasting needs new vision and better management
In an article, How We Sound to the World, published in the October International Edition of Radio World magazine, the Executive Director of the Committee for U.S. International Broadcasting (CUSIB – cusib.org), Ann Noonan, calls for reforms of federally-funded media outreach programs overseas to better manage free flow of uncensored news to nations and groups that most need it.
The article describes management shortcomings at the International Broadcasting Bureau (IBB) and the Voice of America (VOA).
The article also outlines some of the steps CUSIB belives are necessary to make the BBG more effective in its international media outreach. Noonan defends the mission of BBG’s surrogate broadcasters, such as Radio Free Asia (RFA), Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty (RFE/RL), and Middle East Broadcasting Networks (MBN).
Noonan wrote:

“CUSIB appreciates the importance of both Voice of America and surrogate broadcasting and hopes that under Mr. Shell’s tenure, their roles will be supported. CUSIB does not accept the myth that these different missions duplicate each other. VOA Cantonese, Mandarin and Tibetan services provide news and opinions from the United States as mandated by the US Congress in the Voice of America Charter.
Radio Free Asia has a separate congressional mandate and does tremendous work with local journalists. Voice of America’s identity and success abroad are tied to being identified with the United States. VOA cannot be a successful surrogate broadcaster, just as RFA cannot be a successful representative for all of America.”

The front page of the October issue of Radio World shares a photo of Jeff Shell’s meeting with CUSIB Advisory Board members. Noonan expressed CUSIB’s hope that he will undertake management reforms at IBB and VOA.
Noonan’s article in Radio World can be accessed at these links:
http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/newbay/rw_20131009/index.php#/28
http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/newbay/rw_20131009/index.php#/29
The Committee for U.S. International Broadcasting (CUSIB – cusib.org) is an independent, nongovernmental organization which supports free flow of uncensored news from the United States to countries without free media.
For further information, please contact:
Ann Noonan, co-founder and Executive Director
Tel. 646-251-6069
Ted Lipien, co-founder
Tel. 415-793-1642