Radio Liberty’s president, Thomas A. Dine, argues that the planned changes to the Russian service – shorter programs and a greater reliance on journalists based in Moscow instead of in Prague – will make the station more accessible to Russians accustomed to an FM-radio format and will provide more news about Russia itself.



Radio Liberty’s president, Thomas A. Dine, argues that the planned changes to the Russian service – shorter programs and a greater reliance on journalists based in Moscow instead of in Prague – will make the station more accessible to Russians accustomed to an FM-radio format and will provide more news about Russia itself.

Congress should keep an eye on Radio Liberty

Washington Post editorial

Radio Liberty, the U.S.-funded Russian-language broadcaster, is not so much a radio station as an institution. For decades, Russians twiddled the dials of shortwave radios in the middle of the night, when the signal was strongest, trying to hear news that could not be broadcast on Soviet radio.

Since the Soviet Union broke up, Radio Liberty has retained devoted followers, most of whom would say it is needed now more than ever: The media are once again not free in Russia; the hand of the government is growing heavier; and anti-Americanism is rampant. The strong emotions Radio Liberty has stirred over its half-century existence, among those who work there and those who listen, help explain why a move to “revamp” the station has recently caused so much distress.

There is at least one bad precedent in the “reform” of U.S.-government-backed, foreign-language radio stations: Two years ago, the Broadcasting Board of Governors, which oversees the stations, pushed Radio Free Europe’s Iranian-language service to become less political, to play more pop music and to embed the traditional human rights advocacy in a more familiar “news and entertainment” format. Many critics said the move diluted the station’s pro-democracy message. Others fear that changes to Radio Liberty could do the same.

Radio Liberty’s president, Thomas A. Dine, argues that the planned changes to the Russian service – shorter programs and a greater reliance on journalists based in Moscow instead of in Prague – will make the station more accessible to Russians accustomed to an FM-radio format and will provide more news about Russia itself. His opponents within the service argue that the move from Prague to Moscow risks putting Radio Liberty editors under greater pressure from the Russian government and will make the station indistinguishable from hundreds of others in Russia. While this battle is being resolved, Congress, which funds and oversees Radio Liberty, should monitor the station’s progress closely. The imposition of a one-size-fits-all plan to make American broadcasters sound more like Russian broadcasters (or worse, more like American pop music stations) wouldn’t serve the causes of human rights, public diplomacy or anything else.

When this story was posted in December 2004, this was on the front page of PCOL:

Changing of the Guard With Lloyd Pierson's departure, Marie Wheat has been named acting Chief of Staff and Chief of Operations responsible for the day-to-day management of the Peace Corps. Although Wheat is not an RPCV and has limited overseas experience, in her two years at the agency she has come to be respected as someone with good political skills who listens and delegates authority and we wish her the best in her new position.

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December 18, 2004: This Week's Top Stories RPCV remembers Deborah Gardner's murder in Tonga 17 Dec Maoist insurgents in Nepal release Swiss aid worker 17 Dec RPCV Alison Williams exhibits portraits of Malian people 16 Dec Former Brazil Medical Director convicted of drug charges 16 Dec RPCV Joseph Opala researched slave trade in RI 15 Dec Vasquez sees resurgent interest in PC 14 Dec Senator who wanted duel with RPCV joins Fox 14 Dec NPCA planning National Day of Action for PC funding 13 Dec RPCV "Harry" Chandler votes in Electoral College 13 Dec Critic says Moyers delivered neo-Marxist propaganda 13 Dec Micronesia RPCV Walter Cavanagh has 1,496 credit cards 13 Dec PC "Survivor" Julie Berry headed for California 11 Dec more top stories...

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Our debt to Bill Moyers Former Peace Corps Deputy Director Bill Moyers leaves PBS next week to begin writing his memoir of Lyndon Baines Johnson. Read what Moyers says about journalism under fire, the value of a free press, and the yearning for democracy. "We have got to nurture the spirit of independent journalism in this country," he warns, "or we'll not save capitalism from its own excesses, and we'll not save democracy from its own inertia."

RPCV safe after Terrorist Attack RPCV Gina Abercrombie-Winstanley, the U.S. consul general in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia survived Monday's attack on the consulate without injury. Five consular employees and four others were killed. Abercrombie-Winstanley, the first woman to hold the position, has been an outspoken advocate of rights for Arab women and has met with Saudi reformers despite efforts by Saudi leaders to block the discussions.

Is Gaddi Leaving? Rumors are swirling that Peace Corps Director Vasquez may be leaving the administration. We think Director Vasquez has been doing a good job and if he decides to stay to the end of the administration, he could possibly have the same sort of impact as a Loret Ruppe Miller. If Vasquez has decided to leave, then Bob Taft, Peter McPherson, Chris Shays, or Jody Olsen would be good candidates to run the agency. Latest: For the record, Peace Corps has no comment on the rumors.

The Birth of the Peace Corps UMBC's Shriver Center and the Maryland Returned Volunteers hosted Scott Stossel, biographer of Sargent Shriver, who spoke on the Birth of the Peace Corps. This is the second annual Peace Corps History series - last year's speaker was Peace Corps Director Jack Vaughn.

Vote "Yes" on NPCA's bylaw changes Take our new poll. NPCA members begin voting this week on bylaw changes to streamline NPCA's Board of Directors. NPCA Chair Ken Hill, the President's Forum and other RPCVs endorse the changes. Mail in your ballot or vote online (after Dec 1), then see on how RPCVs are voting.

Charges possible in 1976 PCV slaying Congressman Norm Dicks has asked the U.S. attorney in Seattle to consider pursuing charges against Dennis Priven, the man accused of killing Peace Corps Volunteer Deborah Gardner on the South Pacific island of Tonga 28 years ago. Background on this story here and here.

Your vote makes a difference Make a difference on November 2 - Vote. Then take our RPCV exit poll. See how RPCV's are voting and take a look at the RPCV voter demographic. Finally leave a message on why you voted for John Kerry or for George Bush. Previous poll results here.

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