Can Brent Bozell and Kari Lake ‘Make Media Great Again’ at Broadcast Agencies?

Four years ago, immediately upon taking office, President Joe Biden told the CEO of the U.S. Agency for Global Media to resign or be fired.

Biden’s request, which Michael Pack honored at 2 p.m. Jan. 20, 2021, demonstrated his administration’s urgency to reassert control over the federal agency that operates government-funded media outlets broadcasting internationally. 

Pack, a documentary filmmaker and former president and CEO of the Claremont Institute, served only seven months in the role when Biden ordered him gone. Originally nominated by President Donald Trump in June 2018, Pack’s nomination lingered in the U.S. Senate. He was confirmed, 53-38, in June 2020.

Days into his second term, Trump already appears intent on moving quickly to refocus USAGM on its mission of promoting freedom and democracy around the world.

On Tuesday, he tapped L. Brent Bozell III, founder and president of the Media Research Center, to be the agency’s new CEO. In December, Trump announced Kari Lake, a former TV news anchor from Arizona, as his nominee to lead Voice of America, one of the entities USAGM oversees.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump said that “few understand the Global Media landscape in print, television, and online better than Brent. He and his family have fought for the American principles of Liberty, Freedom, Equality, and Justice for generations, and he will ensure that message is heard by Freedom-loving people around the World. Brent will bring some much needed change to the U.S. Agency for Global Media.”

Bozell will be charged with reforming a troubled agency, and noted as much in a post on X. 

“I am honored to be chosen by President Trump to serve as the next CEO of the U.S. Agency for Global Media,” Bozell posted. “There is lots of work to be done. I look forward to meeting with Senators ahead of my confirmation hearing to explore how best to ensure the priorities of the President are met.”

Bozell’s watchdog organization is a frequent critic of legacy media outlets and Lake has also called out reporters. Trump’s selections are already prompting howls from anonymously quoted sources—and fears that Senate Democrats might use tactics to delay the confirmation process.

A History of Agency Troubles

A seemingly small but oft-criticized agency, USAGM was reorganized during President Barack Obama’s administration in 2016. Pack was the first CEO to serve in the newly created role, charged with reforming the international media outlets that faced scrutiny for promoting liberal or anti-American bias even though its congressional charter required independence and objectivity. 

During Trump’s first term, VOA staffers accused Trump of wanting to subvert the objectivity. 

Biden nominated Amanda Bennett, a former editor of Bloomberg News, the Philadelphia Inquirer, and Lexington Herald-Leader, as the current CEO of the Agency for Global Media in November 2021. The Senate didn’t confirm Bennett until September 2022 on a vote of 60-36.

USAGM is responsible for two federal entities—VOA and the Office of Cuba Broadcasting—and five nonprofit organizations, which include Radio Free Asia, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Middle East Broadcasting Networks, Open Technology Fund, and Frontline Media Fund.

Before Biden fired him, Pack attempted to reform the global media agency and made several notable firings. However, a federal judge overturned his decisions, hampering his ability to make personnel changes. 

Security and Financial Concerns

Employees of USAGM maintain access to government buildings, sensitive files, information technology systems, and high-ranking U.S. government officials. 

Last summer, the House Foreign Affairs Committee released a report that found whistleblower allegations of abuse by a senior agency executive had merit, including using taxpayer funds for personal travel, falsified educational credentials, and favoritism.

An independent audit of the USAGM for fiscal years 2021 and 2022 found deficiencies in internal controls over financial reporting. 

In 2021, the State Department’s Office of Inspector General found deficiencies in personnel and background investigations.

A joint audit in 2020 by the Office of Personnel Management and the Office of the Director of National Intelligence found the agency has failed for a decade to adequately vet staff, creating a systemic security risk.

Also in 2020, a former contracting officer with the broadcasting agency pleaded guilty to conspiracy to defraud the United States through bribery and wire fraud. 

In 2019, the global media agency suspended a reporter and a cameraman amid allegations they faked a mortar attack in Nicaragua. That same year, Haroon Ullah, the agency’s former chief strategy officer, pleaded guilty in federal court to stealing more than $40,000 in government property. 

In 2018, the government fired or disciplined 15 VOA journalists for accepting bribes from a Nigerian government official. The bribes came in “brown envelopes,” according to the audit. 

In 2017, Voice of America disciplined three Chinese journalists working for VOA’s Mandarin service, siding with China’s government and killing a broadcast with an interview critical of the Chinese Communist Party. 

The inspector general revealed in 2014 that the agency awarded contracts based on personal connections and hired contractors without prior approval, inappropriately spending hundreds of thousands of dollars.

USAGM did not respond to an inquiry from The Daily Signal for this story.

Trump’s New Media Team

Bozell has a big task ahead of him once confirmed by the Senate.

He founded the Media Research Center in 1987 to document liberal bias at a time when there was little alternative to the mainstream media. Bozell has also been a nationally syndicated columnist, and the author or co-author of multiple books. Bozell also founded the Parents Television Council in 1998 and For America in 2010.

His father, L. Brent Bozell Jr., was also prominent in the conservative movement. He is the nephew of conservative icon William F. Buckley.

National radio host Erick Erickson, posted, “It is always great to see good things happen to good people. Brent is fantastic and will be great in this. What a fantastic appointment.”

Also, Chris Plante, a Newsmax TV host and radio host posted, “Well deserved! Congratulations my friend.”

Lake posted on X, “Congratulations, @BrentBozell. I’m looking forward to working with you. Let’s Make Media Great Again!”

Lake’s position doesn’t require Senate approval. She must win the support of the bipartisan International Broadcasting Advisory Board, a seven-member panel responsible for hiring and firing the VOA director.

Michael Abramowitz, the former president of Freedom House, has served in the role of VOA director for less than a year.

A former Republican candidate for governor and Senate in Arizona, Lake began her broadcasting career in the 1990s.. 

Trump said that Lake would “ensure that the American values of Freedom and Liberty are broadcast around the World FAIRLY and ACCURATELY, unlike the lies spread by the Fake News Media.”

Lake said she plans to bring reforms to the news organization.

“@VOANews is a vital international media outlet dedicated to advancing the interests of the United States by engaging directly with people across the globe and promoting democracy and truth,” Lake said. “With an audience of 326 million people, Voice of America delivers information in 48 languages. Under my leadership, the VOA will excel in its mission: chronicling America’s achievements worldwide.”

President Gerald Ford signed VOA’s charter in 1976. Congress increased the VOA editorial independence in 1994 and again in 2020. The charter states that Voice of America “will serve as a consistently reliable and authoritative source of news. It will be accurate, objective and comprehensive.” It further says it will be a “balanced and comprehensive projection of significant American thought and institutions.” VOA could broadcast editorial comment advocating existing U.S. policy, as the charter says it will “clearly and effectively, and will also present responsible discussions and opinion on these policies.” 

During Trump’s first term, the White House issued a statement in 2020 that said, “Voice of America spends your money to speak for authoritarian regimes,” regarding the perceived pro-China coverage. 

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