By Jeremy Rosenberg
USC Annenberg Master of Public Diplomacy graduate Matthew C. Armstrong has joined the Broadcasting Board of Governors, or BBG, as the body is more widely known.
The BBG, according to the 'about' section of its website, is the bipartisan, independent federal body that supervises various internationally-focused, civilian-operated, government-funded media outlets. That roster includes Voice of America; Radio Free Europe and Radio Liberty; the Middle East Broadcasting Networks' Alhurra TV and Radio Sawa; Radio Free Asia; and the Office of Cuba Broadcasting's Radio and TV Marti.
Armstrong was confirmed last week by the U.S. Senate. Other new BBG board members are Jeffrey Shell, President of NBC Universal International; and Ambassador Ryan C. Crocker, Dean of the Bush School of Government and Public Service at Texas A&M University.
“I strongly believe the nomination and confirmation of Ambassador Ryan Crocker, Jeff Shell and me – and the nomination of Ken Weinstein last week – does indicate a real and positive change in the perceived value of the BBG from both the administration and the Senate,” Armstrong said.
The confirmation culminated a month-long process. Last April, The White House Office of the Press Secretary issued a news release heralding Armstrong's experiences and announcing President Obama’s "intent to nominate" the Trojan to one of the nine seats on the Board. The nomination was then forwarded to the Senate.
"This is terrific news," Nicholas J. Cull said at the time. Cull is a USC Annenberg professor of public diplomacy and the director of the school’s Master of Public Diplomacy program. Cull called Armstrong "a wonderful student" as well as "the essential blogger" regarding issues such as the ones he would deal with at BBG.
Armstrong’s online writing brought him increased attention and connections. “I am the first blogger on the Board,” Armstrong said, adding that he hadn’t “blogged in earnest” since 2010 due to State Department regulations.
“My earlier career in knowledge management has been helpful too,” Armstrong said. “As have my extensive networks across the Congress and the executive branch that were first possible because of the blog.”
Armstrong also worked as an USC Annenberg adjunct professor specializing in new technology and public diplomacy. Cull said he glad he was to have brought Armstrong back to campus to teach. That respect was clearly mutual.
“I was happy to teach the two semesters I did before I moved to Illinois,” Armstrong said. “Nick has been supportive and I always enjoy the times we get to collaborate and catch up.”
Armstrong previously served as the executive director of the U.S. Advisory Commission on Public Diplomacy. He was also the founder and president of the MountainRunner Institute.
"I am sure [Armstrong] will be an excellent member of the oversight board of U.S. international broadcasting and that he will make a difference where – as his own writings have made clear – a difference is certainly needed," Cull said. "This is a great example of the exciting things which USC's public diplomacy students are now doing in the world. I couldn't be prouder."
Related:
- Matt Armstrong's USC Center on Public Diplomacy bio
- USC Annenberg Master’s of Public Diplomacy
- Nicholas Cull’s USC Annenberg Faculty Page
