Middle East Broadcasting Networks
| Abbreviation | MBN |
|---|---|
| Formation | February 14, 2004 |
| Type | 501(c)3 organization |
| 42-1591205 | |
| Headquarters | Newington, Virginia |
| Subsidiaries | Alhurra, Radio Sawa |
| Budget | Funded by the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM), which oversees all U.S. Government funded foreign broadcasts. |
| Website | www |
| Remarks | Available in 22 countries and territories across the Middle East and North Africa, including Algeria, Bahrain, Djibouti, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco, Oman, State of Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates, and Yemen. |
The Middle East Broadcasting Networks (MBN) is a non-profit organization funded by the United States Congress through a grant from the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM), an independent federal agency. The USAGM also funds Voice of America (VOA), Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, and Radio Free Asia. Until April 2025, the MBN operated the Arab-language television network Alhurra. It continues to run Alhurra.com and other social media platforms.
MBN's stated mission is to provide accurate and objective information and to "expand the spectrum of ideas, opinions, and perspectives" in the media in the MENA region, and to "accurately represent America, Americans, and American policies".
Former U.S. diplomat Ambassador Alberto Fernandez was appointed as head of MBN in 2017. On November 4, 2018, MBN relaunched, pledging to introduce "innovative" programming. In 2019, after airing an investigative report alleging corruption within Iraq's Sunni and Shiite religious establishments, Iraqi authorities suspended the license of MBN's Alhurra television channel for three months.
Downsizing of MBN began in September 2024, following a mandate by the United States Congress to cut its budget by $20 million. In October 2024, Jeffrey Gedmin was appointed President and Chief Executive Officer of the Middle East Broadcasting Networks (MBN), following a period as acting head beginning in April 2024. In April 2025, an additional 500 employees of Alhurra were terminated after funding was frozen by the Trump Administration and the Department of Government Efficiency.