The United States Information Agency (USIA) is an independent foreign affairs agency within the executive branch of the U.S. Government. USIA explains and supports American foreign policy and promotes U.S. national interests through a wide range of overseas information programs. The agency promotes mutual understanding between the United States and other nations by conducting educational and cultural activities. USIA maintains 190 posts in 142 countries. Overseas, USIA is known as USIS, the U.S. Information Service.

With guidance, support and material from Washington headquarters, USIA's field offices at American Embassies overseas, known as the U.S. Information Service, manage cultural and information programs in support of American foreign policy objectives and greater mutual understanding between the U.S. and foreign societies.

USIA operates the U.S. Government's programs of educational and cultural exchange. The best known of these is the Fulbright exchange program, which operates in over 125 countries. Additionally, each year over 2,400 foreign leaders and professionals come to the United States at USIA's invitation as International Visitors, and some 1,800 - 2,000 voluntary visitors come under private auspices for up to 30 days of professional appointments arranged by USIA. Many partners cooperate in USIA exchange activities: the academic community, U.S. private organizations, foreign governments and American volunteers.

The International Broadcasting Act of 1994 established a Broadcasting Board of Governors to oversee USIA's Voice of America (VOA), Radio and TV Martí, and WORLDNET Television, as well as two surrogate international broadcast services -- Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty and the new Radio Free Asia. Unlike USIA's other federally funded broadcast services, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, a non-profit private corporation, and Radio Free Asia receive funding through grants from the USIA's Broadcasting Board of Governors.

VOA broadcasts 660 hours of programming weekly in 52 languages, including English, to an international audience. Radio Martí, established in 1985, broadcasts 24 hours a day in Spanish to Cuba. TV Martí telecasts 4-1/2 hours daily. Programming consists of news, information, and entertainment from a variety of sources. WORLDNET, USIA's satellite television network, transmits news, educational and cultural programming 24 hours a day to millions of foreign viewers through American embassies, USIS posts, and foreign television and cable networks. Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, including its Czech and Polish affiliates, broadcasts over 500 hours per week in 23 languages to Central Europe, Russia, and the republics of the New Independent States.

USIA's daily Washington File information service provides both time-sensitive and in-depth information in five languages. The File includes full transcripts of speeches, Congressional testimony, articles by Administration officials, and materials providing analysis of key issues. Other materials include on-line publications dealing with democratic developments, trade, security, and other issues. The Agency has worldwide web sites (www.usia.gov) for domestic and overseas audiences which contain information about the United States, USIA programs, and key international events and issues.

USIA's Speakers and Specialists Program enables hundreds of Americans to share their expertise with audiences abroad. For speakers who are requested on short notice, required for a single event, or are unable to travel, digital video conference programs allow foreign audiences to communicate electronically with their U.S. counterparts.

Over 100 information resource centers are electronically equipped for rapid delivery of information relevant to U.S. interests abroad to foreign leaders in government, media and academia. In some developing countries, USIA supports public-access libraries that encourage serious study and understanding of American society and institutions.

USIA operates foreign press centers in Washington, New York, and Los Angeles to assist resident and visiting foreign journalists. The centers work cooperatively with privately sponsored international press centers in Chicago, Houston, Atlanta, Miami, and Seattle.