21 May 2019
CEO John F. Lansing issued the following statement:
The U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM) and its networks are mandated by law to abide by “the highest professional standards of broadcast journalism” (22 USC 6202). All of its networks, including the Office of Cuba Broadcasting (OCB), support the Agency’s mission of informing, engaging, and connecting people around the world in support of freedom and democracy. Adhering at all times to the journalistic values of accuracy, fairness, and balance is fundamental to that mission.
In May 2018, OCB aired a blatantly anti-Semitic video segment about George Soros that was deeply offensive and wholly inconsistent with USAGM’s professional standards and ethics. Upon learning of the situation in October, I ordered a thorough and multi-faceted review of OCB content, operations, and personnel.
As part of this wholesale review, a panel of independent experts examined an extensive sample of OCB content to identify and address any patterns of unethical, unprofessional, biased, or sub-standard journalism. The results of that panel are presented in this report.
In addition, the Agency internally reviewed OCB’s journalistic standards, editorial processes, and personnel practices. Furthermore, a comprehensive human resources investigation of the incident was completed and the agency has terminated, or is in the process of disciplinary action against, employees and contractors who have been deemed responsible. Collectively, these reviews highlight some urgent needs at OCB – particularly in shoring up journalistic principles and practices.
With reform in mind, I have assembled a joint USAGM-OCB working group to take up and carry out the recommendations from these reviews. To start, the working group will focus on five areas:
- Updating journalistic standards, reinforcing editorial processes, and producing relevant; engaging and balanced journalism consistent with the legislative mandate;
- Clarifying strategy and strengthening leadership;
- Bolstering workforce planning and personnel management;
- Ensuring the right balance of media platforms and effective distribution of content into Cuba; and
- Deepening coordination and collaboration with USAGM and its other networks.
We commit to making this process collaborative and transparent. We will be reaching out to stakeholders to solicit their input and will report out our progress and next steps at quarterly intervals.
These efforts are part of a longer arc of modernization and reform at OCB. In June 2018, Tomás Regalado was appointed as Director of OCB. Tomás brings to this leadership position an impressive journalism career and a history of public service, having served as City Commissioner and two-term Mayor of Miami. Since day one, Tomás has led on an ambitious program of revitalization for OCB, and he will remain a key driver of these continued reform efforts.
In addition, OCB appointed a new Central News Director to lead the newsroom in reinforcing editorial and ethical standards and implementing long-term newsgathering strategies. USAGM has also initiated the search for a Standards and Best Practices Editor, a new position at OCB, to provide oversight of OCB’s editorial and journalistic processes.
In the interim, the Voice of America (VOA), which operates as a separate news operation but is also under the USAGM umbrella, has sent their Editor for News Standards and Best Practices to Miami to conduct mandatory training for all OCB employees involved in content and programming. VOA is required by law to produce fair and unbiased journalism. It has a rigorous set of standards for stories and social media, and has established editing and production practices that enforce these standards. Additional training covering fairness, objectivity, balance and bias in coverage will be required for all OCB employees going forward; the Anti-Defamation League has already provided training for staff.
I know that the path ahead will not be easy, but I – and all of USAGM – stand committed to the challenge. OCB is at all times required to adhere to the highest standards of professional journalism and any deviation from that is unacceptable. Our audience in Cuba has an urgent need for news that is representative of the highest professional standards, and we will not let them down.
(Source: USAGM press release)
19 March 2019
10 Years with Hayao Miyazaki
20 April 23:10/ 5:10 / 10:10 / 17:10
An exclusive 4-part documentary chronicling the creative process of the legendary Japanese filmmaker.
Since 2007, NHK has been granted exclusive access to the studio of legendary Japanese animator Hayao Miyazaki, documenting his creative process for 10 years.
While his films have won international acclaim for their stunning visuals, this four-part documentary series explores the gritty reality behind the scenes.
Miyazaki is shown as a passionate artisan, a father going head to head with his son, and a steadfast trailblazer.
(Source: NHK press release)
18 March 2019
The United States Agency for Global Media (USAGM) today released its detailed Fiscal Year 2020 budget request, seeking $628 million to support key U.S. foreign policy goals, maximize impact and continue modernization initiatives while accommodating current spending constraints.
“Through unprecedented collaboration between the five USAGM networks and a strategic focus on language-based programming rather than national boundaries, we successfully meet the demand for accurate, compelling journalism that impacts lives and communicates America’s democratic values to our growing global audience,” said USAGM CEO and Director John F. Lansing, adding, “Our work is more important than ever.”
USAGM is in the midst of a significant multi-year transformation effort designed to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the agency and to increase its impact on the audiences it serves worldwide. This undertaking aligns with the Administration’s National Security Strategy and the President’s management priorities of effectiveness, efficiency, and accountability, and advances USAGM’s 2018-2022 Strategic Plan.
The agency’s portion of the President’s FY 2020 Budget request will build on recent strategic investments, including:
- Continuing to build VOA365, the new 24/7 Persian-language global network led by Voice of America (VOA) in cooperation with Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty’s (RFE/RL) Radio Farda;
- Creating a global Mandarin-language digital network, with collaboration between VOA and Radio Free Asia (RFA);
- Expanding Russian-language content through Current Time;
- Reaching critical audiences in Central and South America, particularly Venezuela;
- Developing refugee-focused programming and broadcasts; and
- Continuing the dynamic transformation and modernization of the Office of Cuba Broadcasting (Television and Radio Martí) and the Middle East Broadcasting Networks (MBN).
In FY 2018, USAGM reached a record weekly audience of 345 million across radio, television and the internet-a 24 percent increase from the FY 2017 audience of 278 million. This growth continues the agency’s upward trend in audience reach in recent years, reflecting both the quality of USAGM content and its duty as a trusted source of news and information in a complex global media environment.
Additional information regarding USAGM’s budget submission can be found in the Fiscal Year 2020 Congressional Budget Request.
(Source: USAGM press release)
5 March 2019
MBC Group has been ranked the 37th Most Viewed Global Media Property in the world – and number one in the Middle East – by the latest VideoAces Awards, which measures videos viewed across all major social media platforms worldwide.
The global top 100 were chosen from 3,200 leading brands, media organisations and content creators.
Now in its third year, the VideoAces – which is managed by Tubular Labs, the world leader in digital video measurement and sponsored video intelligence – recognises the most viewed brands and media companies across social video.
MBC Group joins the ranks amongst leading media organisations, such as Netflix, RT, KBS World TV, Masha and the Bear, US Today, US Agency for Global Media, SKY PLC, abc News, Pops Worldwide, GMA and others.
The year 2018 was enormous for online video, said Tubular Labs, with over 6,500 years-worth of content uploaded across social platforms to create over 804 million videos. That’s a 46% increase from 2017.
Tarek Qazzaz, Head of MBC’s Digital Media and Creative Services (DMCS) department, told Tubular: “We went into 2018 with a dedicated plan to beat our own best, and to become the biggest media brand for socialized video in the Middle East and worldwide.
“With a lot of focus and dedication by the teams and all of MBC Group, we’ve managed to deliver above and beyond our own expectations. This success is down to many people across the business and their acute understanding of what audiences want. Wherever there are audiences, there is MBC.”
DMCS is the MBC Group department responsible for the creation, distribution and circulation of MBC media across all digital platforms supporting marketing, digital and commercial B2B services.
The top five Global Media Properties for 2018 are:
- WarnerMedia
- The LADbible Group
- The Walt Disney Company
- The Soul Publishing
- Buzzfeed
(Source: MBC press release)
