Following the departure of Chairman Walter Isaacson, the Broadcasting Board of Governors today unanimously approved BBG member Michael Lynton as its new interim presiding governor. BBG Watch reported earlier that Michael Lynton has had the poor attendance record at BBG meetings, but other BBG members, particularly Enders Wimbush and Dana Perino, both Republicans, are in the same category. Only former chairman Walter Isaacson and senior Republican member Victor Ashe have had a perfect attendance record at board meetings. One source described Lynton as highly intelligent and well-liked.
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From the official BBG website:
Michael Lynton Becomes The BBG’s New Interim Presiding Governor
FEBRUARY 11, 2012
Washington, DC – Following the departure of Chairman Walter Isaacson, the Broadcasting Board of Governors today unanimously approved BBG member Michael Lynton as its new interim presiding governor.
“It is a pleasure to work with this multi-talented, bipartisan board, and an honor to be elected to help lead the organization,” Lynton said. “We are each committed to the cause of making this agency the best it can be. And with our various strengths and diverse backgrounds, we all bring something to the table.”
Lynton is the Chairman and CEO of Sony Pictures Entertainment. He is the former CEO of AOL Europe and Chairman and CEO of Pearson PLC’s Penguin Group. A member of the Council on Foreign Relations, Mr. Lynton and also serves on the boards of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art and the Rand Corporation. He is a graduate of Harvard College and Harvard Business School and is proficient in French, German and Dutch.
Lynton serves on the BBG Governance Committee.
The Senate confirmed him and all the other appointed Governors in the summer of 2010.The Governors noted that Mr. Isaacson provided an inspiring example, and they acknowledged his “great efforts and tremendous contributions … during his tenure as BBG Chairman from July 2010 until January 2012.
The Board extends its deepest gratitude for his service to the BBG and to United States international broadcasting.“Inspired by Chairman Isaacson’s example, the Board reaffirms its unqualified and ongoing commitment to fostering and promoting high-quality, independent and objective journalism by all BBG broadcasters. The Board rededicates itself to pursuing the mission adopted during Chairman Isaacson’s tenure: ‘To inform, engage, and connect people around the world in support of freedom and democracy.’ “
The Board designated Lynton to serve as presiding Governor on an interim basis until such time as it selects an alternate presiding Governor, Governor Lynton chooses to step down as presiding Governor, or a new Chairman is appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate.
The Broadcasting Board of Governors is an independent federal agency, supervising all U.S. government-supported, civilian international broadcasting, whose mission is inform, engage, and connect people around the world in support of freedom and democracy. BBG broadcasts reach an audience of 187 million in 100 countries. BBG networks include the Voice of America, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, the Middle East Broadcasting Networks (Alhurra TV and Radio Sawa), Radio Free Asia, and the Office of Cuba Broadcasting (Radio and TV Marti).
Contact: Lynn Weil, lweil@bbg.gov