Washington – John Lansing, the former chief executive of the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM), passed away on Wednesday at the age of 67. His death was announced by his family at his lakeside home in Wisconsin, but the cause of death was not immediately disclosed.
Lansing took on the role of CEO of USAGM in 2015, overseeing outlets such as Voice of America, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, and Radio Free Asia. During his tenure, he was a strong advocate for press freedom and journalist safety, and worked tirelessly to connect people around the world in support of freedom and democracy.
In a statement, current USAGM CEO Amanda Bennett praised Lansing as “a relentless advocate for press freedom, journalist safety, and connecting people around the world in support of freedom and democracy.” She also highlighted his efforts to modernize the agency, including adopting a digital-first content strategy and enhancing internet freedom initiatives.
One of Lansing’s key achievements was the creation of a committee made up of the heads of each of the agency’s networks, allowing for regular discussions on the state of the world. Bennett noted that his vision was transformative for the agency, which was previously known as the Broadcasting Board of Governors (BBG) before being renamed USAGM.
Lansing was a strong proponent of press freedom, even in the face of challenges and threats. On World Press Freedom Day in 2019, he stated, “Despite some very dark moments, we have not been silenced. We will continue to report the truth. We will continue to find new ways to get independent reporting and programming to global audiences who rely on it.”
Under Lansing’s leadership, USAGM networks saw a significant increase in their global weekly audience, reaching over 100 million. He also expanded the agency’s use of platforms such as encrypted live broadcasting and shortwave radio to reach audiences in countries where American programming is jammed or banned.
In 2017, USAGM launched Current Time TV, a Russian-language TV and digital network in partnership with Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. This was just one example of Lansing’s dedication to expanding the agency’s reach and impact.
After stepping down from his role at USAGM in 2019, Lansing joined National Public Radio (NPR) as chief executive. During his time at NPR, he led the organization through the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic and was instrumental in improving the workplace culture and diversity at the news outlet.
In a statement, NPR CEO Katherine Maher praised Lansing’s commitment to supporting American democracy and his impact on the organization. She said, “John had a tremendous impact on NPR’s workplace culture and led the organization through some of its most difficult times. His commitment to improving NPR’s audience and staff diversity has left an indelible positive impact.”
Maher also highlighted Lansing’s integrity and compassion, which inspired those around him. She added, “His loss will be felt deeply by our staff and across the public radio system.”
Lansing’s career in journalism began at the young age of 17 when he worked at a local television station in Kentucky. He went on to serve as president of Scripps Networks for nine years, overseeing popular channels such as the Food Network and the Travel Channel. He also held the position of CEO at the Cable & Telecommunications Association for Marketing, a marketing association representing 90 of the top U.S. and Canadian cable companies and television programmers.
Lansing is survived by his wife Jean and their four children, Alex, Jackson, Nicholas, and Jennifer. His legacy will continue to live on through his dedication to press freedom and his impact on the media industry.
In his memory, USAGM and NPR have set up a fund to support journalism and press freedom initiatives. This is a testament to Lansing’s unwavering commitment to the values of a free press and the important role it plays in promoting democracy and human rights around the world.
John Lansing’s passing is a great loss to the journalism community and to all those who knew him. He will be remembered as a visionary leader, a champion of press freedom, and a dedicated advocate for connecting people around the world in support of freedom and democracy. His legacy will continue to inspire future generations in the fight for a free and independent press.
