United States Agency for Global Media

International Broadcasting Advisory Board Approves Stephen Capus to lead Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty

The board, which provides oversight and strategic guidance to the U.S. Agency for Global Media, unanimously voted to authorize naming Capus as RFE/RL’s President and CEO

February 6, 2024

The International Broadcasting Advisory Board (IBAB) – which provides oversight and strategic guidance to the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM) – unanimously authorized the board of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) to name Stephen Capus as RFE/RL President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Capus has served as the network’s Acting President since January 1, 2024.

“As the IBAB begins our work, we could not be more excited to secure Steve at the helm at RFE/RL,” said IBAB Chair Kenneth Jarin. “His breadth of experience in news media and demonstrated leadership leave no doubt that he is the right person to guide the network forward, particularly at such a critical moment in our history, as threats to press freedom and censorship pervade. It is a privilege to confirm his role, and we look forward to what we’ll accomplish together.”

Capus brings more than 25 years of network news management, production, and journalistic experience, and previously served as President of NBC News, Executive Producer of NBC Nightly News with Tom Brokaw, The News with Brian Williams, and CBS Evening News with Scott Pelley. He has recently provided strategic counsel to USAGM as well as RFE/RL in Prague.

Approving Capus as RFE/RL President and CEO marks the first public announcement from the new International Broadcasting Advisory Board, which was confirmed by the U.S. Senate and appointed by President Biden in December 2023. The IBAB is an independent federal entity composed of experts representing mass communications, broadcast media, and international affairs, who provide strategic counsel and oversight in partnership with USAGM’s CEO.

The IBAB’s decision to authorize is pursuant to 22 U.S.C. 6205(e).

 

About the International Broadcasting Advisory Board

The International Broadcasting Advisory Board is made up of seven members with expertise in the fields of mass communications, broadcast media, and international affairs. Six members are appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate. The seventh, the Secretary of State, serves ex officio.

 

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