{"id":26040,"date":"2017-05-25T08:54:34","date_gmt":"2017-05-25T12:54:34","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/?p=26040"},"modified":"2017-05-25T08:54:34","modified_gmt":"2017-05-25T12:54:34","slug":"shifting-away-from-shortwave-significant-reductions-for-bbg-under-fy-2018-budget","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2017\/05\/shifting-away-from-shortwave-significant-reductions-for-bbg-under-fy-2018-budget\/","title":{"rendered":"“Shifting away from shortwave”: Significant reductions for BBG under FY 2018 budget"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"\"<\/a>

Edward R. Murrow Transmission Site near Greenville, North Carolina<\/p><\/div>\n

(Source: BBG Press Release<\/a>\u00a0via Dan Robinson)<\/p>\n

\n

FY 2018 budget request reflects key BBG priorities amid spending constraints<\/h2>\n

WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 The Broadcasting Board of Governors today released the FY 2018 budget request to support key U.S. foreign policy goals by providing news and information around the world while accommodating the current tight fiscal climate.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs is true throughout the federal government, the budgetary environment requires that we prioritize our resources while emphasizing impact and maintaining the level of excellence our audiences have come to expect,\u201d said CEO John F. Lansing. \u201cDespite reductions in spending, we are committed to our mission, impacting the lives of hundreds of millions of people around the world by providing accurate, unbiased, and uncensored news and information.\u201d<\/p>\n

The tight fiscal environment necessitates BBG to improve operational efficiencies and make difficult resource trade-offs to effectively meet performance goals and support U.S. foreign policy priorities.<\/p>\n

The $685.1 million budget request includes transmission, program and staffing reductions across all BBG networks\u2014the Voice of America, Radio Free Europe\/Radio Liberty, the Office of Cuba Broadcasting, Radio Free Asia, and the Middle East Broadcasting Networks\u2014and the International Broadcasting Bureau, including the Office of Technology, Services and Innovation. This includes reducing, and in some cases, eliminating certain language service capacities; shifting away from shortwave transmissions where they have the least impact; and optimizing information technology.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Although the funding request represents a 12.9 percent reduction from the FY 2017 enacted budget, it prioritizes funding for U.S. foreign policy goals, including combatting violent extremism, countering Russian disinformation, and enhancing programming for North Korean audiences. It also capitalizes on the momentum gained from the streamlining of operations in 2016 and the aggressive shift to digital already underway at each of the five networks.<\/p>\n

The request includes $680.4 million for International Broadcasting Operations, including Federal and non-Federal networks, as well as $4.7 million for Broadcasting Capital Improvements.<\/p>\n

The FY 2018 budget request contains proposals to continue the agency\u2019s responsive shift to the most effective media platforms, respond readily to crises, keep pace with shifts in audience demographics and interests, and sharpen strategy and results measurement to drive performance.<\/p>\n

BBG\u2019s extensive network of seasoned, professional and well-connected journalists is particularly strong in regions where ISIS, Russia, Iran, China and other global actors that do not share American values are attempting to make further inroads.<\/p>\n

\u201cShould Congress enact this budget, there is no doubt that staff reductions would be difficult,\u201d Lansing said. \u201cWe will do everything possible to minimize the effect on our employees by emphasizing attrition, early retirement opportunities, and agency buyouts for federal employees wherever possible. Our staff and journalists are the core of what drives our impact around the world. We will do everything we can to safeguard our greatest asset.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

(Source: BBG Press Release\u00a0via Dan Robinson) FY 2018 budget request reflects key BBG priorities amid spending constraints WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 The Broadcasting Board of Governors today released the FY 2018 budget request to support key U.S. foreign policy goals by providing news and information around the world while accommodating the current tight fiscal climate. \u201cAs […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":15,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[56,960,3,43],"tags":[406,3064,936,1529,1160,184,1093,34,10,402,182],"class_list":["post-26040","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-broadcasters","category-international-broadcasting","category-news","category-shortwave-radio","tag-bbg","tag-bbg-cuts","tag-broadcasting-board-of-governors","tag-radio-free-asia","tag-radio-free-europe","tag-radio-marti","tag-rfa","tag-shortwave","tag-voa","tag-voa-cuts","tag-voice-of-america"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/pn3uc-6M0","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":31329,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2018\/03\/bbg-budget-includes-plans-for-shortwave\/","url_meta":{"origin":26040,"position":0},"title":"BBG budget includes plans for shortwave","author":"Thomas","date":"March 25, 2018","format":false,"excerpt":"Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Richard Langley who shares the following item from Kim Elliott. Note that this news is dated February 22, 2018 (yes, it was lost in my drafts folder!): Broadcasting Board of Governors budget request includes plans for shortwave Kim Andrew Elliott 22 February 2018 The\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Broadcasters"","block_context":{"text":"Broadcasters","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/broadcasters\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/VOA-site-B-Wallpaper-MainBuilding2-1-1024x640.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/VOA-site-B-Wallpaper-MainBuilding2-1-1024x640.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/VOA-site-B-Wallpaper-MainBuilding2-1-1024x640.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":17922,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2016\/03\/bbgs-fiscal-year-2016-congressional-budget-request\/","url_meta":{"origin":26040,"position":1},"title":"BBG’s Fiscal Year 2016 Congressional Budget Request","author":"Thomas","date":"March 25, 2016","format":false,"excerpt":"Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Richard Langley, who shares a link to the Broadcasting Board of Governor's\u00a0Fiscal Year 2016\u00a0Congressional Budget Request. Click here to download as a PDF. I've read key portions of the request. Regarding shortwave, the BBG are asking for budget reductions in almost all of the\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Broadcasters"","block_context":{"text":"Broadcasters","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/broadcasters\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"BBG-Budget-Request","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/BBG-Budget-Request.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/BBG-Budget-Request.jpg?resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/BBG-Budget-Request.jpg?resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/BBG-Budget-Request.jpg?resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":3377,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2012\/04\/bbg-watch-ashe-seeks-comments-on-u-s-international-broadcasting\/","url_meta":{"origin":26040,"position":2},"title":"BBG Watch: Ashe seeks comments on U.S. international broadcasting","author":"Thomas","date":"April 23, 2012","format":false,"excerpt":"This is a great opportunity to communicate directly with a BBG member who wants your input regarding upcoming changes to US international broadcasting: (Source: BBG Watch) Often referred to as a senior Republican member of the Broadcasting Board of Governors (BBG), Ambassador Victor Ashe has invited the public, including BBG\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Broadcasters"","block_context":{"text":"Broadcasters","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/broadcasters\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/06\/BBG-Logo-300x207.png?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":9117,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2014\/03\/bbgs-2015-budget-voa-to-increase-services-to-asiaafrica-but-cut-others\/","url_meta":{"origin":26040,"position":3},"title":"BBG’s 2015 budget: VOA to increase services to Asia\/Africa, but cut others","author":"Thomas","date":"March 27, 2014","format":false,"excerpt":"The Broadcasting Board Of Governors is requesting a reduced budget from congress for FY 2015 and re-focusing efforts on services to Asia and Africa. Of course, this will be at the expense of Azerbaijani, Georgian, Persian, and Uzbek language\u00a0programming and a complete cut of programs to\u00a0Serbia, Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, and Macedonia.\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Broadcasters"","block_context":{"text":"Broadcasters","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/broadcasters\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"The new budget would expand Leaning English (a.k.a. Special English) programming.","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/VOApodcastimageSPecialEnglish.gif?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":17824,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2016\/03\/breaking-news-oig-report-on-the-edward-r-murrow-transmitting-station\/","url_meta":{"origin":26040,"position":4},"title":"Breaking news: OIG Report on the Edward R. Murrow Transmitting Station","author":"Thomas","date":"March 18, 2016","format":false,"excerpt":"I've just received a copy of the Office of Inspections (OIG) report on the VOA transmitting station in Greenville, NC.\u00a0The full OIG report is now in the public domain as a PDF. Here are a few highlights... A summary of what OIG found: The Broadcasting Board of Governors Special Committee\u00a0on\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Broadcasters"","block_context":{"text":"Broadcasters","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/broadcasters\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Fullscreen capture 3182016 51138 PM","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/Fullscreen-capture-3182016-51138-PM.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/Fullscreen-capture-3182016-51138-PM.jpg?resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/Fullscreen-capture-3182016-51138-PM.jpg?resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/Fullscreen-capture-3182016-51138-PM.jpg?resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":6151,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2013\/04\/heritage-foundation-bbg-is-cutting-the-most-cost-effective-part-of-its-organization\/","url_meta":{"origin":26040,"position":5},"title":"Heritage Foundation: BBG is cutting “the most cost-effective part of its organization”","author":"Thomas","date":"April 9, 2013","format":false,"excerpt":"For those of you not familiar, note that the\u00a0The Heritage Foundation\u00a0is a US\u00a0conservative\u00a0think tank\u00a0based in\u00a0Washington, D.C. whose mission is to \"formulate and promote conservative public policies based on the principles of free enterprise, limited government, individual freedom, traditional American values, and a strong national defense.\" (Source: Heritage Foundation) The Broadcasting\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Articles"","block_context":{"text":"Articles","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/articles\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"One of the 19 curtain antennas on the campus of the Edward R. 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