For those of you who were not able to meet with Norm Pattiz today, I'd like to summarize his meetings with the staff.
Norm complimented the staff of Alhurra and Sawa on the great job we've been doing and informed us that he has released the following statement:
"It's been nearly four years since the launch of Radio Sawa and two years since the launch of Alhurra television. Since then, these Middle East networks regularly reach over 35 million unduplicated listeners and viewers throughout the Arabic speaking Middle East weekly according to independent research from ACNielsen and others. The same research shows that over 70 percent of its audience finds the news to be reliable. I am proud to have played a role in that success.
"Now after five years on the Broadcasting Board of Governors and with Sawa and Alhurra in good hands I have submitted my resignation to President Bush and thanked him, as I thank President Clinton who originally appointed me to the Broadcasting Board, for the opportunity to serve my country. My home and business are in Los Angeles and over the last year my responsibilities as Chairman of Westwood One and as a Regent of the University of California have increased making it more difficult to commute between Los Angeles and Washington D.C. every month and devote the necessary time to the Broadcasting Board of Governors. I plan to leave at the end of February."
Today the BBG released a statement which included the following:
"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 U.S. international broadcasting over the last five years."
At the staff meetings today, Norm thanked everyone for their hard work and emphasized the importance of continuing to work as a team to build both Alhurra and Radio Sawa.
Norm also informed the staff that as he leaves his position as the Chairman of the Middle East Committee of the BBG overseeing Alhurra and Sawa, he will be replaced by his fellow governor Joaquin Blaya. Gov. Blaya has a long track record of success in commercial TV and radio and is a big supporter of our efforts. A brief bio of Gov. Blaya is attached.
Over the past 5 years, Norm has been the driving force behind the creation and success of Alhurra and Radio Sawa, two of the most important projects in the history of U.S. International Broadcasting. Norm's enthusiasm, professionalism and dedication to our mission have been an inspiration to our entire team. I am sure you all join me in thanking Norm for his hard work and dedication.
Pattiz’ term at BBG expired in 2004, though the Bush administration had not named a successor. All BBG members are political appointees, with the US Secretary of State as ex officio. Bert Kleinman, brought in by Pattiz, announced his resignation in November. BBG Chairman Kenneth Y. Tomlinson resigned last year from the US Corporation for Public Broadcasting after an internal investigation of political activity, banned by law.
Pattiz is widely expected to take a role in the 2008 US presidential campaign of Democrat Senator Joseph Biden.
