Michael Pack, the controversial CEO of the U.S. Agency for Global Media, is resigning as of 2 p.m. Wednesday, at the request of the Biden administration.
“It is disheartening that my resignation has been requested,” Pack wrote in his letter. “This will long be viewed as a partisan act that harmed an office designed to serve the American people and the national interest.”
Pack, a conservative documentary filmmaker (Hollywood vs. Religion, Created Equal: Clarence Thomas in His Own Words) and confidant of former Trump adviser Steve Bannon, had only been CEO of the agency since June of last ...
“It is disheartening that my resignation has been requested,” Pack wrote in his letter. “This will long be viewed as a partisan act that harmed an office designed to serve the American people and the national interest.”
Pack, a conservative documentary filmmaker (Hollywood vs. Religion, Created Equal: Clarence Thomas in His Own Words) and confidant of former Trump adviser Steve Bannon, had only been CEO of the agency since June of last ...
- 1/20/2021
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Michael Pack, the controversial CEO of the U.S. Agency for Global Media, is resigning as of 2 p.m. Wednesday, at the request of the Biden administration.
“It is disheartening that my resignation has been requested,” Pack wrote in his letter. “This will long be viewed as a partisan act that harmed an office designed to serve the American people and the national interest.”
Pack, a conservative documentary filmmaker (Hollywood vs. Religion, Created Equal: Clarence Thomas in His Own Words) and confidant of former Trump adviser Steve Bannon, had only been CEO of the agency since June of last ...
“It is disheartening that my resignation has been requested,” Pack wrote in his letter. “This will long be viewed as a partisan act that harmed an office designed to serve the American people and the national interest.”
Pack, a conservative documentary filmmaker (Hollywood vs. Religion, Created Equal: Clarence Thomas in His Own Words) and confidant of former Trump adviser Steve Bannon, had only been CEO of the agency since June of last ...
- 1/20/2021
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
Michael Pack, the new chief executive of the agency that oversees Voice Of America and other government-funded broadcast outlets, said Wednesday that he is implementing new policies to ensure that editorials that reflect the views of Donald Trump’s administration are given greater prominence and placement.
The move comes amid concerns that Pack will try to transform Voa and other outlets in ways that threaten their independence. Much of the wariness comes from Trump’s scathing criticisms of Voa and recent public push for the Senate to confirm Pack. His nomination languished for two years before he was confirmed earlier this month.
In his announcement, Pack, the CEO of the U.S. Agency for Global Media, said that the editorials, produced through the agency’s Office of Policy, will remain distinct from Voa’s news and featuring programming, and that the editorials are part of the mission of the broadcast...
The move comes amid concerns that Pack will try to transform Voa and other outlets in ways that threaten their independence. Much of the wariness comes from Trump’s scathing criticisms of Voa and recent public push for the Senate to confirm Pack. His nomination languished for two years before he was confirmed earlier this month.
In his announcement, Pack, the CEO of the U.S. Agency for Global Media, said that the editorials, produced through the agency’s Office of Policy, will remain distinct from Voa’s news and featuring programming, and that the editorials are part of the mission of the broadcast...
- 6/25/2020
- by Ted Johnson
- Deadline Film + TV
Newly installed Voice of America leader Michael Pack, who purged most of the organization’s leadership on the evening of June 17, is also a longtime conservative documentarian whose work has been seen most widely on PBS — but is also known as an acolyte of right-wing activist Steve Bannon.
The Voa has been run by filmmakers before. While most of its directors have been journalists or scholars, the founding director of the public broadcaster dedicated to sharing American news and culture was Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright, Oscar-winning screenwriter, and President Roosevelt speechwriter Robert Sherwood. (He also coined the organization’s name.) Following Sherwood was John Houseman, a longtime Orson Welles collaborator who went on to become a respected film producer and production executive in addition to his work as an actor.
Pack has a longstanding relationship with PBS — like Voa, a public broadcasting outlet. From 2003 through 2006 he oversaw programming at the Corporation for Public Broadcasting,...
The Voa has been run by filmmakers before. While most of its directors have been journalists or scholars, the founding director of the public broadcaster dedicated to sharing American news and culture was Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright, Oscar-winning screenwriter, and President Roosevelt speechwriter Robert Sherwood. (He also coined the organization’s name.) Following Sherwood was John Houseman, a longtime Orson Welles collaborator who went on to become a respected film producer and production executive in addition to his work as an actor.
Pack has a longstanding relationship with PBS — like Voa, a public broadcasting outlet. From 2003 through 2006 he oversaw programming at the Corporation for Public Broadcasting,...
- 6/18/2020
- by Tom Brueggemann
- Thompson on Hollywood
Newly installed Voice of America leader Michael Pack, who purged most of the organization’s leadership on the evening of June 17, is also a longtime conservative documentarian whose work has been seen most widely on PBS — but is also known as an acolyte of right-wing activist Steve Bannon.
The Voa has been run by filmmakers before. While most of its directors have been journalists or scholars, the founding director of the public broadcaster dedicated to sharing American news and culture was Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright, Oscar-winning screenwriter, and President Roosevelt speechwriter Robert Sherwood. (He also coined the organization’s name.) Following Sherwood was John Houseman, a longtime Orson Welles collaborator who went on to become a respected film producer and production executive in addition to his work as an actor.
Pack has a longstanding relationship with PBS — like Voa, a public broadcasting outlet. From 2003 through 2006 he oversaw programming at the Corporation for Public Broadcasting,...
The Voa has been run by filmmakers before. While most of its directors have been journalists or scholars, the founding director of the public broadcaster dedicated to sharing American news and culture was Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright, Oscar-winning screenwriter, and President Roosevelt speechwriter Robert Sherwood. (He also coined the organization’s name.) Following Sherwood was John Houseman, a longtime Orson Welles collaborator who went on to become a respected film producer and production executive in addition to his work as an actor.
Pack has a longstanding relationship with PBS — like Voa, a public broadcasting outlet. From 2003 through 2006 he oversaw programming at the Corporation for Public Broadcasting,...
- 6/18/2020
- by Tom Brueggemann
- Indiewire
Michael Pack, the new CEO of the government-run global media media entity that oversees Voice of America and other news outlets, plans to clean house of the agency’s top career leadership, the chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee said on Tuesday.
Rep. Eliot Engel (D-ny) said in a statement that he had learned that Pack, confirmed by the Senate earlier this month to lead the U.S. Agency for Global Media, “intends to force out a number of the agency’s career senior leadership tomorrow morning.”
“My fear is that Usagm’s role as an unbiased news organization is in jeopardy under his leadership,” Engel said. “Usagm’s mission is ‘to inform, engage, and connect people around the world in support of freedom and democracy’ — not to be a mouthpiece for the President in the run up to an election.” Engel suggested that the the action was connected...
Rep. Eliot Engel (D-ny) said in a statement that he had learned that Pack, confirmed by the Senate earlier this month to lead the U.S. Agency for Global Media, “intends to force out a number of the agency’s career senior leadership tomorrow morning.”
“My fear is that Usagm’s role as an unbiased news organization is in jeopardy under his leadership,” Engel said. “Usagm’s mission is ‘to inform, engage, and connect people around the world in support of freedom and democracy’ — not to be a mouthpiece for the President in the run up to an election.” Engel suggested that the the action was connected...
- 6/17/2020
- by Ted Johnson
- Deadline Film + TV
Voice of America’s director and deputy director resigned this week after the congressional confirmation of conservative filmmaker Michael Pack to oversee the government broadcast agency. Pack is a close ally of former campaign strategist and White House adviser Stephen Bannon.
Director Amanda Bennet and deputy director Sandra Sugawara resigned Monday, according to Voice of America, a news organization funded by the American government that maintains independence and objectivity.
After a push from President Donald Trump’s administration, Pack is now the CEO-designate for the U.S. Agency for Global Media, which oversees the international network and other federally-funded media organizations. Pack’s promotion was widely opposed by Democratic leaders.
Also Read: Voice of America Reporter Says He Was Banned From Air Force Two Over Report on Mike Pence's Maskless Mayo Clinic Visit
In the duo’s four-year tenure, according to Voa, the organization’s radio, television and online...
Director Amanda Bennet and deputy director Sandra Sugawara resigned Monday, according to Voice of America, a news organization funded by the American government that maintains independence and objectivity.
After a push from President Donald Trump’s administration, Pack is now the CEO-designate for the U.S. Agency for Global Media, which oversees the international network and other federally-funded media organizations. Pack’s promotion was widely opposed by Democratic leaders.
Also Read: Voice of America Reporter Says He Was Banned From Air Force Two Over Report on Mike Pence's Maskless Mayo Clinic Visit
In the duo’s four-year tenure, according to Voa, the organization’s radio, television and online...
- 6/16/2020
- by Lindsey Ellefson
- The Wrap
Voice of America Director Amanda Bennett and Deputy Director Sandy Sugawara resigned on Monday, after defending the government-backed media outlet from withering attacks from the White House and President Donald Trump.
Trump’s choice to lead the U.S. Agency for Global Media, Michael Pack, was confirmed by the Senate earlier this month. In a note to staff on Monday morning, Bennett said that Pack has the right to replace them with his own Voa leadership.
Bennett also said that Pack “swore before Congress to respect and honor the firewall that guarantees Voa’s independence, which in turn plays the single most important role in the stunning trust Voa’s audiences around the world have in the organization,” a spokesperson for Voa said. “She remarked that she and Deputy Director Sugawara know that all Voa staff members will offer him all of their skills, their professionalism, their dedication to mission,...
Trump’s choice to lead the U.S. Agency for Global Media, Michael Pack, was confirmed by the Senate earlier this month. In a note to staff on Monday morning, Bennett said that Pack has the right to replace them with his own Voa leadership.
Bennett also said that Pack “swore before Congress to respect and honor the firewall that guarantees Voa’s independence, which in turn plays the single most important role in the stunning trust Voa’s audiences around the world have in the organization,” a spokesperson for Voa said. “She remarked that she and Deputy Director Sugawara know that all Voa staff members will offer him all of their skills, their professionalism, their dedication to mission,...
- 6/15/2020
- by Ted Johnson
- Deadline Film + TV
The Senate confirmed President Donald Trump’s nominee to lead the global media agency that oversees the Voice of America.
Michael Pack, a documentary filmmaker, will serve as CEO of the U.S. Agency for Global Media, which also provides grants to overseas outlets like Radio Free Europe and Middle East Broadcasting Networks. The Senate voted 53-38 on the nomination, with Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W. Va.) voting with all Republicans.
Other Democrats, led by Sen. Robert Menendez (D-nj), objected to his confirmation while Pack’s nonprofit, Public Media Lab, is under investigation by the D.C. Attorney General, Karl Racine.
On the Senate floor on Thursday, Menendez used charts to outline claims that Pack used donations from Public Media Lab, for his own benefit.
“Given his alleged use of a small non profit for self-enrichment, can we trust that he will not use the massive resources of the U.S. government...
Michael Pack, a documentary filmmaker, will serve as CEO of the U.S. Agency for Global Media, which also provides grants to overseas outlets like Radio Free Europe and Middle East Broadcasting Networks. The Senate voted 53-38 on the nomination, with Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W. Va.) voting with all Republicans.
Other Democrats, led by Sen. Robert Menendez (D-nj), objected to his confirmation while Pack’s nonprofit, Public Media Lab, is under investigation by the D.C. Attorney General, Karl Racine.
On the Senate floor on Thursday, Menendez used charts to outline claims that Pack used donations from Public Media Lab, for his own benefit.
“Given his alleged use of a small non profit for self-enrichment, can we trust that he will not use the massive resources of the U.S. government...
- 6/4/2020
- by Ted Johnson
- Deadline Film + TV
The Senate Foreign Relations Committee voted along party lines to move forward with the nomination of filmmaker Michael Pack to lead the federal agency that oversees the Voice of America and other government-backed international broadcast outlets.
The vote was 12-10 to advance the nomination after a contentious meeting. Pack would lead the U.S. Agency for Global Media.
The committee was to vote on the nomination last week, but it was delayed. In the meantime, the office of the D.C. Attorney General, Karl Racine, said that it was investigating Pack’s non-profit. Sen. Bob Menendez (D-nj) indicated that the investigation had to do with whether Pack directed non-profit funds to his for-profit production business, as well as other issues.
President Donald Trump had singled out Pack’s nomination when he criticized Democrats for what he said was an effort to block key appointees in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic.
The vote was 12-10 to advance the nomination after a contentious meeting. Pack would lead the U.S. Agency for Global Media.
The committee was to vote on the nomination last week, but it was delayed. In the meantime, the office of the D.C. Attorney General, Karl Racine, said that it was investigating Pack’s non-profit. Sen. Bob Menendez (D-nj) indicated that the investigation had to do with whether Pack directed non-profit funds to his for-profit production business, as well as other issues.
President Donald Trump had singled out Pack’s nomination when he criticized Democrats for what he said was an effort to block key appointees in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic.
- 5/21/2020
- by Ted Johnson
- Deadline Film + TV
The District of Columbia’s attorney general is investigating a non profit run by Michael Pack, President Donald Trump’s choice to run the agency that oversees Voice of America.
The top Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Sen. Bob Menendez, said on Thursday that the investigation centers on whether Pack’s use of money from his nonprofit, the Public Media Lab, “was unlawful and whether he improperly used those funds to benefit himself.” A spokesperson for D.C. Attorney General Karl Racine confirmed the investigation but declined to further comment.
The White House did not immediately return a request for comment, nor did a spokesperson for the committee’s chair, Sen. James Risch (R-id). Pack did not respond to a request placed to his production company, Manifold Productions.
“Taking note of what we now know—that there is an active Oag investigation into Mr. Pack’s business dealings—I...
The top Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Sen. Bob Menendez, said on Thursday that the investigation centers on whether Pack’s use of money from his nonprofit, the Public Media Lab, “was unlawful and whether he improperly used those funds to benefit himself.” A spokesperson for D.C. Attorney General Karl Racine confirmed the investigation but declined to further comment.
The White House did not immediately return a request for comment, nor did a spokesperson for the committee’s chair, Sen. James Risch (R-id). Pack did not respond to a request placed to his production company, Manifold Productions.
“Taking note of what we now know—that there is an active Oag investigation into Mr. Pack’s business dealings—I...
- 5/14/2020
- by Ted Johnson
- Deadline Film + TV
When President Donald Trump complained last month that Senate Democrats were holding up his nominees in the midst of a global pandemic, he singled out Michael Pack as one of the figures whose confirmation had stalled.
Pack was his choice to lead the U.S. Agency for Global Media, which oversees a number of government-backed broadcasting outlets including the largest, Voice of America, along with other entities like Radio Free Europe and Alhurra.
The choice to single out Pack left reporters puzzled, until Trump took the opportunity to single out Voa for scathing attacks. Trump’s complaints appear to have triggered the scheduling of a vote on Pack’s nomination before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, even as Democrats continue to hold misgivings and others fear that the agency will become a conduit for Trump TV.
Pack does come with government credentials. He served as the director of Worldnet, the...
Pack was his choice to lead the U.S. Agency for Global Media, which oversees a number of government-backed broadcasting outlets including the largest, Voice of America, along with other entities like Radio Free Europe and Alhurra.
The choice to single out Pack left reporters puzzled, until Trump took the opportunity to single out Voa for scathing attacks. Trump’s complaints appear to have triggered the scheduling of a vote on Pack’s nomination before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, even as Democrats continue to hold misgivings and others fear that the agency will become a conduit for Trump TV.
Pack does come with government credentials. He served as the director of Worldnet, the...
- 5/13/2020
- by Ted Johnson
- Deadline Film + TV
President Donald Trump’s latest coronavirus press briefing once again veered off into one of his grievances, this time that dozens of his nominees to government positions have been upheld in Congress.
Trump threatened to use constitutional authority to adjourn Congress so that he can make recess appointments. “We have a tremendous number of people that have to come into government, and now more so than ever before because of the virus problem,” Trump said.
Although members of Senate are back in their home districts this month, they are not formally in recess, as they still hold pro forma sessions — a practice that the president called a “scam.”
“We need people for this crisis, and we don...
Trump threatened to use constitutional authority to adjourn Congress so that he can make recess appointments. “We have a tremendous number of people that have to come into government, and now more so than ever before because of the virus problem,” Trump said.
Although members of Senate are back in their home districts this month, they are not formally in recess, as they still hold pro forma sessions — a practice that the president called a “scam.”
“We need people for this crisis, and we don...
- 4/16/2020
- by Ted Johnson
- Deadline Film + TV
Fresh off a screening at the Sundance Film Festival, Kitty Green’s The Assistant premiered this weekend in four theaters, setting a solid debut. Overall, the Time’s Up-era drama thrilled audiences, generating an estimated $84,702 at the box office.
It’s a strong start for the Bleecker Street film — which is opening in the midst of the Weinstein trial. The timing of the debut couldn’t be any more relevant. But there was a bit of a problem when it came to ticket sales at The Angelika in New York, as there was internet outage at the theater in its opening weekend. There were technical difficulties with online ticket sales for reserved seating, but tickets were available on a walk-up, cash-only basis. That said, this may have affected potential performance. Even so, the Angelika and the Lincoln in New York delivered estimated two-day grosses of $18.8K and $19.9K respectively, outperforming...
It’s a strong start for the Bleecker Street film — which is opening in the midst of the Weinstein trial. The timing of the debut couldn’t be any more relevant. But there was a bit of a problem when it came to ticket sales at The Angelika in New York, as there was internet outage at the theater in its opening weekend. There were technical difficulties with online ticket sales for reserved seating, but tickets were available on a walk-up, cash-only basis. That said, this may have affected potential performance. Even so, the Angelika and the Lincoln in New York delivered estimated two-day grosses of $18.8K and $19.9K respectively, outperforming...
- 2/2/2020
- by Dino-Ray Ramos
- Deadline Film + TV
In today’s film news roundup, a Clarence Thomas documentary and “Never, Rarely, Sometimes, Always” are getting theatrical releases, and Lionsgate is developing a Rabbids movie.
Release Dates
Manifold Productions has slated “Created Equal: Clarence Thomas in His Own Words” to open in theaters nationwide on Jan. 31, Variety has learned exclusively.
The documentary about the conservative U.S. Supreme Court justice will play on at least 50 screens. The film was directed, written and produced by Michael Pack, with Gina Cappo Pack as executive producer. The producers interviewed Thomas and his wife, Virginia, for over 30 hours.
The documentary will air on PBS next year, at least three months after the theatrical release. Thomas denies allegations he sexually harassed law professor Anita Hill. The accusations emerged during his U.S. Supreme Court confirmation hearing in 1991 before the Senate Judiciary Committee.
“His intellectual journey is just as remarkable,” Pack said. “He was raised...
Release Dates
Manifold Productions has slated “Created Equal: Clarence Thomas in His Own Words” to open in theaters nationwide on Jan. 31, Variety has learned exclusively.
The documentary about the conservative U.S. Supreme Court justice will play on at least 50 screens. The film was directed, written and produced by Michael Pack, with Gina Cappo Pack as executive producer. The producers interviewed Thomas and his wife, Virginia, for over 30 hours.
The documentary will air on PBS next year, at least three months after the theatrical release. Thomas denies allegations he sexually harassed law professor Anita Hill. The accusations emerged during his U.S. Supreme Court confirmation hearing in 1991 before the Senate Judiciary Committee.
“His intellectual journey is just as remarkable,” Pack said. “He was raised...
- 12/13/2019
- by Dave McNary
- Variety Film + TV
President Donald Trump again suggested starting his own global news network to “put some really talented people and get a real voice out there. Not a voice that is fake.”
His remarks were yet another slam at CNN, but also existing media outlets that are funded by the U.S. government, the largest of which is Voice of America. Voa’s mission is to provide an “objective and reliable source of U.S., regional and world news and information,” and is set up with a “firewall” to be free of political interference.
Speaking to a crowd in Florida on Thursday, though, Trump criticized those entities, which are overseen by the U.S. Agency for Global Media. Trump said that “we used to have Radio Free Europe and Voice of America. We did that to build up our country, and that is not working out too well.”
Instead, he said that CNN...
His remarks were yet another slam at CNN, but also existing media outlets that are funded by the U.S. government, the largest of which is Voice of America. Voa’s mission is to provide an “objective and reliable source of U.S., regional and world news and information,” and is set up with a “firewall” to be free of political interference.
Speaking to a crowd in Florida on Thursday, though, Trump criticized those entities, which are overseen by the U.S. Agency for Global Media. Trump said that “we used to have Radio Free Europe and Voice of America. We did that to build up our country, and that is not working out too well.”
Instead, he said that CNN...
- 10/3/2019
- by Ted Johnson
- Deadline Film + TV
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