John Lansing, CEO of the US Agency for Global Media, died on Wednesday at the age of 67 in his lakefront home in Wisconsin. The cause of death was not immediately disclosed.

Lansing became head of the US Agency for Global Media, or USAGM, in 2015. The USAGM is the umbrella organization that oversees broadcasters such as Voice of America, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty and Radio Free Asia, among others.

In a written statement, USAGM CEO Amanda Bennett called Lansing a “tireless advocate for press freedom, journalist safety, and connecting people around the world in support of freedom and democracy.”

During his time as CEO of USAGM, Lansing formed a committee of the heads of the agency’s individual networks “so that we can talk together on a regular basis about the state of the world,” Bennett said.

“John has done a lot to modernize this agency,” Bennett said. “From implementing a content strategy that puts a digital focus at the forefront to championing internet freedom initiatives to rebranding the agency from BBG to USAGM, his vision has been transformative.”

During his time as chairman of the USAGM, Lansing advocated for freedom of the press.

“Despite some very dark moments, we have not been silenced,” he said on World Press Freedom Day 2019. “We will continue to report the truth. We will continue to find new ways to bring independent reporting and programming to audiences around the world that depend on it.”

Under Lansing’s leadership, USAGM’s networks increased their worldwide weekly audience by more than 100 million. He also expanded the agency’s use of platforms, from encrypted live broadcasts to shortwave radio, to bring content to countries that interfere with or ban American programming.

In 2017, while Lansing was leading USAGM, the agency launched Current Time TV, a Russian-language television and digital network led by RFE/RL in partnership with VOA.

Left an “indelible positive impression” on NPR

Lansing resigned from his position at USAGM in 2019. After leaving USAGM, he joined National Public Radio, where he served as general manager until his resignation earlier this year.

In a statement, Lansing’s successor at NPR, CEO Katherine Maher, praised his understanding of NPR’s importance in supporting American democracy.

“John had a tremendous impact on the workplace culture at NPR and led the organization through some of its most difficult times,” Maher said in the statement. “His commitment to improving NPR’s audience and staff diversity has left an indelible positive impact.”

Maher said Lansing “inspired those around him with his integrity and compassion, and his loss is deeply regretted by our staff and throughout the public broadcasting system.”

Lansing led NPR during the COVID-19 pandemic, which began just months after he took over at the news channel. During his tenure at NPR, the channel won more than 90 awards for its reporting, including its first Pulitzer Prize in 2021.

During his career he led Scripps

Lansing began his journalism career at the age of 17 at a local television station in Kentucky. Later in his career, he spent nine years as president of the Scripps Network, which oversees channels such as the Food Network and the Travel Channel.

He also served as CEO of the Cable & Telecommunications Association for Marketing, a marketing association comprising 90 of the largest cable companies and television programming providers in the United States and Canada.

Lansing leaves behind his wife Jean and their four children Alex, Jackson, Nicholas and Jennifer.