The Broadcasting Board of Governors — the federal agency that oversees media production and outreach overseas — established the new Office of Internet Freedom and tapped attorney and IT and cybersecurity expert Nnake Nweke as its first director.
As internet access becomes increasingly viewed as a human right, Nweke and the new program office are tasked with finding "technological and innovative efforts to circumvent internet censorship around the globe," according to a release announcing the appointment.
Nweke will focus on developing strategies to help viewers access media in areas with strong censorship, as well as studying how internet restrictions affect BBG's message.
"I am thrilled that Dr. Nweke is stepping into this new and critical role," BBG Director and CEO John Lansing said. "He brings a wealth of technology, engineering and cybersecurity experience from both the public and the private sectors and I'm confident that his outstanding leadership will help further strengthen our efforts to counter censorship of BBG-funded, affiliated or supported content and other credible, independent news and information."
Prior to joining BBG, Nweke worked at the Federal Communications Commission, where he most recently served as branch chief for the Office of Engineering and Technology.
Before that, he was a senior engineer in the Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau, part of FCC's Cybersecurity and Communications Reliability Division, where he received the Meritorious Award for his work to strengthen the nation's communications infrastructure from cyberattack.
Aaron Boyd is an awarding-winning journalist currently serving as editor of Federal Times — a Washington, D.C. institution covering federal workforce and contracting for more than 50 years — and Fifth Domain — a news and information hub focused on cybersecurity and cyberwar from a civilian, military and international perspective.
