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US Statement on Resignation of Middle East Broadcasting Mastermind Pattiz

Posted on: Monday, 16 January 2006, 12:00 CST

Text of press release in English by US Broadcasting Board of Governors (BBG) on 10 January

Washington, DC, 10 January 2006: Mr Pattiz first came to the board five years ago, in October 2000, bringing with him an incredible enthusiasm for public service and for the foreign policy mission of the agency. The timing of his appointment to the board could not have been more fortuitous. His energy and private sector broadcast expertise led to the creation of the BBG's vibrant, modern Arabic-language radio service, Radio Sawa, that would be just the first phase of a dramatic surge in both television and radio broadcasts to the Middle East sponsored by the US after 9/11.

With his business acumen and drive, Mr Pattiz built on the success of Radio Sawa to create Al-Hurra Television, the first American television in Arabic to the Middle East. Together, these broadcasts formed the Middle East Broadcasting Networks, broadcasting 24 hours a day to audiences in the Middle East.

The BBG and US public diplomacy have been fortunate to have the benefit of the skills and commitment of Norm Pattiz. Although serving on a part-time board of governors, Mr Pattiz became immediately engaged in the need to reach out to the Arab world. Prior to 9/11, he devoted himself to overseeing the design and research that a new broadcast effort would require, and remained dedicated to these programmes until they were solidly established and recognized.

Mr Pattiz continues to chair Westwood One, and is a member of the University of California Board of Regents, where he is taking on increased responsibilities. As his home and core business interests are on the West Coast, it is becoming increasingly difficult for him to dedicate the time necessary to come to Washington to oversee the networks and other programmes of the board.

The Board is proud of what it has been able to accomplish to modernize and reinvigorate US international broadcasting in recent years. We know that many of the broadcast resources and initiatives now available to the BBG and the nation would not exist without the efforts of Mr Pattiz.

As the BBG's Chairman, Ken Tomlinson, has often stated, "Norm Pattiz is a builder. He knows how to get things done and this nation owes him a great debt for building a state-of-the-art broadcast operation." The Board sincerely wishes to thank Norm for his dedication to US international broadcasting over the last five years.

The BBG is an independent federal agency which supervises all US government-supported non-military international broadcasting, including the Voice of America (VOA), Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL); the Middle East Broadcasting Networks (Al-Hurra TV and Radio Sawa); Radio Free Asia (RFA); and Office of Cuba Broadcasting (Radio and TV Marti).

Through its broadcast services, the BBG provides the United States and its leaders direct and immediate access to a worldwide audience of over 140m people. Nine members comprise the BBG, a bipartisan presidentially appointed body. Current governors are Chairman Kenneth Y. Tomlinson, Joaquin Blaya, Blanquita W. Cullum, D. Jeffrey Hirschberg, Edward E. Kaufman, Norman J. Pattiz, and Steven J. Simmons.

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice serves as an ex officio member.

For more information, contact Joe O'Connell in the Office of Public Affairs at (202) 203-4959.

Source: BBC Monitoring Media

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