United States Agency for Global Media

United States Agency for Global Media (USAGM) CEO John Lansing met with Secretary of State Michael Pompeo September 12 to discuss the Agency’s work in informing, engaging and connecting people around the world in support of freedom and democracy.

“I care deeply about USAGM’s mission,” Secretary Pompeo told CEO Lansing. “Getting free and objective news and information into some of the most closed societies in the world is more important than ever, and I commend your agency’s leadership in this area,” the Secretary added.

CEO Lansing updated the Secretary on USAGM’s work in bringing objective news and information to people in Russia and Russian speakers globally and people living in Iran, North Korea and China, among more than 100 additional countries around the world. The Secretary and CEO Lansing also discussed USAGM’s continued audience growth around the world and the Agency’s approaching launch of a new, 24/7 global Persian-language network across television and digital platforms that will reach even more Farsi speakers both within Iran and in diaspora communities around the world.

CEO Lansing outlined the latest threats to USAGM journalists and staff across the globe, including Russia’s continued targeting of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty journalists and other free media in that country and China’s targeting of the family members of Radio Free Asia Uyghur-language journalists in China. The Secretary underscored his and the Department of State’s continued support for U.S. international media journalists and their safety, as well as their families.