BBG Watch Commentary Unique Role of U.S.-Funded Surrogate Broadcasters by Ted Lipien U.S. Government-funded surrogate broadcasting, which started with the formation of Radio Free Europe in the early 1950s, was one of the most successful American inventions of the Cold War. Its effectiveness was undeniable in helping to weaken communist regimes over a period of several decades. Most journalists and…
Public Diplomacy, Radio, Russia
Fired Radio Liberty reporter Kristina Gorelik receives Moscow Helsinki Group Journalism Prize
BBG Watch Commentary Kristina Gorelik (Кристина Горелик), fired last September by American taxpayer-funded Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) along with dozens of her colleagues, has received today the Moscow Helsinki Group prize for “journalistic activity aimed at promoting human rights values.” The prize was presented on the International Human Rights Day, December 10. At Radio Liberty, Gorelik specialized in human…
As Americans celebrate Thanksgiving, BBG Watch remembers Radio Liberty journalists who were brutally fired without a warning or chose to resign in protest against the actions of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty management. These journalists are facing now an uncertain future in Vladimir Putin’s Russia without any support or protection from their former U.S. taxpayer-funded employer, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, and…
Poland, Public Diplomacy, Video
Remarks at Swearing-in Ceremony for U.S. Ambassador to Poland Steve Mull
A very good American diplomat, Steve Mull, was sworn in as the new U.S. Ambassador to my native country, Poland. He served in Poland during the Solidarity and martial law period when I was in charge of Voice of America Polish radio broadcasts. Ambassador Mull has a deep understanding of Poland and its history. He should make a very good…
International Broadcasting, Newspaper Articles, Public Diplomacy, Russia
Corti and Lipien in National Review – Radio Liberty silenced by Washington
BBG Watch Commentary In an article published in National Review Online, Mario Corti and Ted Lipien argue that Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) executives have mislead the Broadcasting Board of Governors (BBG) and the American public on the circumstances and the reasons for the mass firing of Radio Liberty journalists in Moscow. The authors state that contrary to the assertions…
International Broadcasting, Russia
CUSIB Applauds Former BBG Member Blanquita Cullum’s Statement on Radio Liberty Crisis
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 12, 2012 CUSIB Applauds Former BBG Member Blanquita Cullum’s Statement on Radio Liberty Crisis The Committee for U.S. International Broadcasting (CUSIB) is honored to learn that former Broadcasting Board of Governors (BBG) member Blanquita Cullum has joined efforts to save Radio Liberty (Radio Svoboda) in Russia. Blanquita Cullum’s statement of October 12, 2012 describes the decisions of the Broadcasting Board…
October 10, 2012 For Immediate Release CUSIB Joins the Rally Cry for Radio Liberty Supporters The Committee for U.S. International Broadcasting (CUSIB) stands in solidarity with Radio Liberty supporters and listeners who demonstrated at the U.S. Embassy in Moscow Tuesday against the mass firing of Radio Liberty (Radio Svoboda) journalists, web editors, and other staffers. Russian and international media covered…
International Broadcasting, Russia
Dismissed Radio Liberty Moscow Journalists Ask CUSIB to Present Their Appeal to U.S. Administration
The Committee for U.S. International Broadcasting (CUSIB) Supporting journalism for media freedom and human rights The Committee for U.S. International Broadcasting (CUSIB – cusib.org) has been asked by a committee of former Radio Liberty Moscow journalists and other staffers who were dismissed last month in a secretly-planned two-day action by the management of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) to forward…
International Broadcasting, Russia
The Committee for U.S. International Broadcasting Condemns Crippling of Radio Liberty in Russia
September 30, 2012 For Immediate Release The Committee for U.S. International Broadcasting Condemns Crippling of Radio Liberty in Russia The Committee for U.S. International Broadcasting (CUSIB) stands in solidarity with Lyudmila Alexeeva, Chairwoman of the Moscow Helsinki Group, in her call for the expansion of Radio Liberty broadcasts in Russia and the reversal of the sudden decision to to fire…
Congress, Digital Journal, Featured, Highlights, International Broadcasting, VOA
Op-Ed: Former US diplomat criticizes weak language on Libya killings | Digital Journal
By Ted Lipien Published September 14, 2012 by Digital Journal Washington – Former U.S. Ambassador to Poland Victor Ashe criticizes the executive staff of the Broadcasting Board of Governors (BBG) for using a weak language in describing the death of U.S. Ambassador to Libya Chris Stevens. Public relations officials of the Broadcasting Board of Governors (BBG) — the U.S. government agency responsible for…
International Broadcasting
CUSIB’s Ted Lipien asks BBG to respect rights of independent journalist Matthew Russell Lee
Open Letter in Support of Media Freedom to Broadcasting Board of Governors members, International Broadcasting Bureau Director Richard Lobo and Voice of America Director David Ensor As co-founder and director of the Committee for U.S. International Broadcasting (CUSIB) and Free Media Online, independent journalist and former Voice of America (VOA) acting associate director, I am deeply troubled by news reports…
This commentary by Ted Lipien was republished from the Committee for the International Broadcasting (CUSIB) website. Smith-Mundt Act Modifications Lack Protections Against Abuse by Ted Lipien While the independent, nonpartisan Committee for U.S. International Broadcasting supports some changes in the Smith-Mundt Act, we and many other media freedom advocates share grave concerns that officials of the Broadcasting Board of Governors…
China, Digital Journal, History, Radio, VOA
Op-Ed: Chen Guangcheng listened in prison to Voice of America radio | Digital Journal
By Ted Lipien Published May 20, 2012 by Digital Journal Blind Chinese legal activist and dissident Chen Guangcheng had been secretly listening to Voice of America (VOA) Mandarin shortwave radio broadcasts while he was in prison in China. The Committee for U.S. International Broadcasting – CUSIB – reported that blind Chinese legal activist and dissident Chen Guangcheng, who arrived Saturday in the…
This was sent to us by Jane Doe. “I always love reading your very insightful posts. You have great information!! I’ve been struck by the frequent references to the former CNN employees now running BBG. Has anyone at BBG looked at CNN’s ratings recently? Is that really the model BBG wants to emulate??? Keep up the good work.” CNN’s ratings…
At the meeting of the Broadcasting Board of Governors (BBG) in Miami on April 20, the federal agency in charge of U.S. international broadcasting decided to reverse its earlier decision on Voice of America (VOA) program cuts to China and Tibet. In expressing his full support for restoring funding for these broadcasts, BBG Governor Ambassador Victor Ashe said: This will…