WASHINGTON — Amanda Bennett was sworn in this morning as the new Director of the Voice of America, and she promised change:

“We do have to change. We must change. We need to change in a big way,” she said, in large part to address the “vast shift in the way people around the world get their information.”

Bennett said that he had heard VOA was “dysfunctional,” “beyond repair,” and “broken.” “But then I had a chance to speak with many of you here.”

And she rejected criticism that VOA has outlived its mission: “VOA is more vital than ever… needed now more than ever.”

“Being the Voice of America is a very very powerful vision,” said Bennett. “America’s story is a lot bigger than we acknowledge… This is a tremendous opportunity for us.”

Bennett will be the featured speaker at the May 2nd CCLP Washington DC Communication Leadership lunch forum

See more about her appointment at http://www.bbg.gov/blog/2016/04/18/bbg-announces-new-voa-director/