BBG Conducts Strategic Review of Broadcasts to Latin America
In February, Latin America was the focus of the BBG’s year-long strategic review process. The strategic analysis centered on the priority of using media to manifest engagement and partnership while upholding freedom of the press, especially for Cuba and VenezuelaThe intensive study engaged internal and external experts in discussions held in Washington, D.C. and Miami. The Board reviewed Voice of America (VOA) Latin America and Radio/TV Marti programs and delivery, as well as market conditions and opportunities across the region. In addition, the review benefited from a visit by 15 U.S. ambassadors to countries in Latin America.
The Board received recommendations and input on the Latin American region from external experts Pedro Burelli, managing director of B+V Consulting; Eric Farnsworth, vice president of the Council of the Americas; Raymond Alcide Joseph, former Charge d’Affaires for Haiti in Washington, D.C.; Craig Kelly, former U.S. Ambassador to Chile and Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs; Dr. John Kelly, lead scientist of Morningside Analytics; and Christopher Sabatini, senior director of policy at the Americas Society and Council of the Americas.
In Miami, the Board consulted a special panel of experts on Cuba, including Wilfredo Cancio, executive producer of AmericaTeVe-Channel 41 in Miami; Gonzalo Guillen, journalist for El Nuevo Herald and professor of international relations at Jorge Tadeo Lozano University, Bogota; Joel Gutierrez, news director at Channel 2 in Nicaraqua and professor of communications at Thomas More University; and David Sosa, journalist and professor of digital journalism at the Escuela Politecnica Superior del Litoral, Espol.
Additional information on Board activities is available online here.