The bipartisan Broadcasting Board of Governors (BBG) oversees all U.S. government and government-sponsored, non-military, international broadcasting services. These services are the Voice of America (VOA), Alhurra, Radio Sawa, Radio Farda, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL), Radio Free Asia (RFA), and Radio and TV Martí.

The Boardcasting Board of Governors (BBG) was created 1994, and serves as a firewall to protect the professional independence and integrity of the BBG broadcasters.

"It is our responsibility to serve as a firewall between the international broadcasters and the policy-making institutions in the foreign affairs community, both here in Washington and overseas. This is a responsibility we take very seriously. Because at the end of the day, it is precisely by providing accurate news and information - sought and trusted by people around the world - that we earn and keep our credibility."

- BBG Chairman, Kenneth Y. Tomlinson

The BBG Board is also charged with evaluating the mission and operation of U.S. international broadcasters in order to ensure compliance with statutory broadcasting standards; to assess quality and effectiveness to determine the addition and deletion of language services; and to submit annual reports to the President and Congress.

The Board is composed of nine bipartisan members with expertise in the fields of journalism, broadcasting, and public and international affairs. Eight members are appointed by the President of the United States and confirmed by the U.S. Senate. The ninth, an ex-officio member, is the Secretary of State. The current members of the Board are: Kenneth Y. Tomlinson, Chairman; Joaquin F. Blaya; Blanquita Walsh Cullum; D. Jeffrey Hirschberg; Edward E. Kaufman; Norman J. Pattiz; Veronique Rodman, Steven J. Simmons; and Secretary of State Colin L. Powell.