BBG is an independent agency of the U.S. government responsible for all international broadcasting sponsored by the U.S government. Previously, it was a department within the U.S. Information Agency. Beginning in 1990, all United States government international broadcasting services began to work more closely together. That year the U.S. Information Agency, then VOA's parent Agency, established the Bureau of Broadcasting to consolidate its three broadcasting services -- the Voice of America, WORLDNET Television and Film Service, and Radio and TV Marti -- under one umbrella organization, supported by a single Office of Engineering and Technical Operations.
In 1991, the Bureau created the Office of Affiliate Relations and Audience Analysis to establish and maintain a network of affiliated radio and TV stations around the world that would broadcast programs. Today, more than 1,200 radio and TV stations receive programming through the Office of Affiliate Relations.
United States government international broadcasting was consolidated even further when Bill Clinton signed the International Broadcasting Act on April 30, 1994. The legislation created the International Broadcasting Bureau within the U.S. Information Agency, and established a BBG with oversight authority over all non-military United States government international broadcasting.
The Voice of America and Radio and TV Marti -- the federally funded services of the former Bureau of Broadcasting -- along with the Office of Engineering and Technical Services, comprise the IBB. WORLDNET TV was folded into VOA in 2004 and no longer exists independently.
The bipartisan BBG includes the Secretary of State (ex officio) and eight members appointed by the President and confirmed by the U.S. Senate. The first Broadcasting Board of Governors was sworn in on August 11, 1995. The BBG became an independent, autonomous entity on October 1, 1999, as a result of the Foreign Affairs Reform and Restructuring Act of 1998. BBG had 3,200 employees and a budget of US$535 million in 2002.
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