Office of International Broadcasting Oversight

Mission

The Office of International Broadcasting Oversight (IBO) conducts and coordinates audits, program evaluations, and special reviews to ensure that the Broadcasting Board of Governors (BBG) effectively, efficiently, and economically discharges its responsibilities for promoting the free flow of information worldwide in support of U.S. national interests.

Separate from its responsibility for overseeing Department programs, OIG is charged with oversight of all U.S. non-military international broadcasting activities under BBG, which was established by the U.S. International Broadcasting Act of 1994 (PL 103-236, Title III).  A particular focus of IBO is on the activities of the BBG broadcasting services, including the Voice of America, Radio and TV Marti of the Office of Cuba Broadcasting, WorldNet Television, Radio Sawa of the Middle East Radio Network, and grantee broadcast entities Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (which includes Radio Free Iraq and Radio Free Afghanistan) and Radio Free Asia.

The overseas work of IBO involves the operations of BBG's worldwide network of radio transmitting stations, marketing and program placement offices working with approximately 2000 broadcast affiliate stations, and news bureaus.  IBO also monitors or participates in the work of other OIG operational offices on BBG issues to ensure effective implementation of OIG's oversight of BBG programs.

BBG has been an independent entity since October 1, 1999, when the U.S. Information Agency, of which it was formerly a part, was consolidated with the Department as a result of the Foreign Affairs Reform and Restructuring Act of 1998.  Statutes and interagency agreements nevertheless link BBG with the Department at the BBG board level where the Secretary or his designate serve as a voting member with regard to foreign policy guidance, approving editorials of U.S. policy, and logistical support overseas.  For these reasons, IBO also works with the Department as an integral part of the process of providing oversight of international broadcasting.