Kelu Chao
Kelu Chao | |
---|---|
趙克露 | |
![]() | |
Former CEO of the U.S. Agency for Global Media | |
Former Acting CEO | |
In office January 20, 2021 – December 29, 2022 | |
President | Joe Biden |
Preceded by | Michael Pack |
Succeeded by | Amanda Bennett |
Personal details | |
Born | Taiwan |
Education | National Chengchi University (BA) Kent State University (MA) |
Kelu Chao (Chinese: 趙克露) is a Taiwanese American journalist. She was the acting interim CEO of the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM), from January 20, 2021, to December 29, 2022.[1]
Early life and education
Kelu Chao was born in Taiwan and studied at Zhongshan Girls' High School (Chinese: 中山女高) there.[2][3] Her father, Chao Ting-Chun, was vice president of one of Taiwan's oldest newspapers, the Central Daily News.[1]
She moved to the U.S. after graduating from the Journalism Department of National Chengchi University in 1975.[2]
She has a master's degree from Kent State University in the United States.[1][3]
Journalism career
Chao has worked for more than 40 years for the Voice of America (VOA).[4]
She was the VOA's first Language Programming Director from 2001 to 2007. She also worked as a VOA editor, VOA's Mandarin Service Chief, VOA's East Asia Division Director, VOA's Hong Kong Bureau Chief, a field reporter, and radio announcer.[3]
As a field reporter, she reported for VOA on the period leading to the 1989 Tiananmen Square protests and massacre in Beijing.[5]
Chao has received more than 30 awards as a VOA programmer, including from the New York Radio Festival and the Asian Broadcasting Union.[5]
She was appointed on January 20, 2021, by President Joe Biden to lead the USAGM as interim CEO, replacing the Trump appointee Michael Pack.[6][4] She is the first woman to hold the top position at USAGM.[4]
Zhao Kelu's personnel management after taking office was questioned by seven Republican members of Congress. The seven members of Congress also demanded that the correspondence from several directors of the United States World Media Organization and VOA be provided on specific dates to investigate the details of the recruitment of Setareh Derakhshesh.[7]
When Amanda Bennett was confirmed by the U.S. Senate to be confirmed to be the CEO of USAGM, Chao issued a statement commending the decision. "A proven journalist, public servant, and business leader, Amanda has both the vision and experience to build on our progress, while equipping USAGM to anticipate and confront threats to independent media and reach audiences in need," said Chao. "Now more than ever, people across the world are depending on USAGM’s fact-based news to triumph over increasing misinformation, disinformation, and censorship. I join our entire agency in welcoming Amanda back to serve during this crucial moment for freedom and democracy."[8]
References
- ^ a b c Wang, Flor; Chiang, Chin-yeh (January 22, 2020). "Taiwanese American Kelu Chao named acting head of U.S. federal agency". Retrieved January 24, 2021.
- ^ a b "又1台裔高官 趙克露掌國際媒體署" [Another Taiwanese, Chao Kelu, revealed to be senior official at the International Media Agency]. tw.appledaily.com (in Chinese). January 23, 2021. Retrieved January 24, 2021.
- ^ a b c "Kelu Chao, Program Director". Voice of America. June 5, 2015. Archived from the original on January 22, 2021. Retrieved January 24, 2021.
- ^ a b c Jerreat, Jessica (January 21, 2021). "New Acting USAGM Chief Begins Undoing Predecessor's Policies". Voice of America. Retrieved January 24, 2021.
- ^ a b Lifting the Veil: Getting the Refugees Out, Getting Our Message in: an Update on the Implementation of the North Korean Human Rights Act: Hearing Before the Subcommittee on Africa, Global Human Rights, and International Operations of the Committee on International Relations, House of Representatives, One Hundred Ninth Congress, First Session, October 27, 2005, Volume 4. U.S. Government Printing Office. 2005. pp. 9–15. ISBN 9780160755255. Retrieved January 24, 2021.
- ^ "President Joe Biden Announces Acting Federal Agency Leadership". White House. January 20, 2021. Retrieved January 24, 2020.
- ^ "The scandal of Setareh Derakhshesh, Voice of America Persian section once again in the US Congress". Iranian Congress.
- ^ "USAGM applauds bipartisan confirmation of Amanda Bennett to be CEO". USAGM. Retrieved February 6, 2023.
- Living people
- American women journalists
- Taiwanese women journalists
- Taiwanese emigrants to the United States
- Voice of America people
- Biden administration personnel
- National Chengchi University alumni
- Kent State University alumni
- 20th-century American women
- 21st-century American women
- 20th-century Taiwanese women
- 21st-century Taiwanese women