Press Release – USAGM https://www.usagm.gov U.S. Agency for Global Media Fri, 15 Mar 2024 16:49:40 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=5.9.5 Family of detained RFE/RL Journalist Alsu Kurmasheva meets top Biden aides, lawmakers, hostage advocates in Washington, D.C. https://www.usagm.gov/2024/03/15/family-of-detained-rfe-rl-journalist-alsu-kurmasheva-meets-top-biden-aides-lawmakers-hostage-advocates-in-washington-d-c/ Fri, 15 Mar 2024 16:49:40 +0000 https://www.usagm.gov/?p=55915 The husband and children of American RFE/RL journalist Alsu Kurmasheva—who is spending her 150th day in a Russian prison—spent a productive week in Washington, D.C. that included meetings with the National Security Council, the U.S. State Department, members of Congress, and civil society groups.

Pavel Butorin, Alsu’s husband, said he was grateful for the support the family received:

“My girls and I came to Washington unsure what to expect but are leaving with confidence that the U.S. government and free speech advocates care about Alsu and will fight for her release.

We hope the State Department will soon designate Alsu as ‘wrongfully detained’ so she can have full access to the resources of the U.S. government to secure her release. She’s done nothing wrong and is only being held because she’s an American.”

In Congress, the family received bipartisan support and met Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD)Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), and staff of the House Foreign Affairs Committee’s (HFAC) Subcommittee on Europe.

Pavel and his daughters also took part in a commemoration for Hostage & Wrongful Detainee Day hosted on Capitol Hill by the James W. Foley Legacy Foundation and the McCain Institute. They also met advocates from other civil society groups, including the Committee to Protect Journalists and Hostage Aid Worldwide.

Pavel, an American journalist with RFE/RL, was granted honorary membership in the National Press Club by its president, CNBC reporter Emily Wilkins.

He also met with U.S. Agency for Global Media CEO Amanda Bennett, who has been a stalwart champion for Alsu since she was first detained by Russian authorities.

Alsu’s family appeared on CNN’s The Lead with Jake Tapper, in which they talked about how much they miss her and want her back home.

The Russian government has not allowed Alsu to speak to her husband or daughters for over four months, and despite repeated requests by the U.S. government, Alsu has been denied consular access, her right as a U.S. citizen.

About RFE/RL

Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty is a private, independent international news organization whose programs — radio, Internet, television, and mobile — reach influential audiences in 23 countries, including Russia, Ukraine, Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, the republics of Central Asia and the Caucasus. It is funded by the U.S. Congress through USAGM.

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USAGM CEO Bennett condemns the banning of VOA journalist by Russian government https://www.usagm.gov/2024/03/14/usagm-ceo-bennett-condemns-the-banning-of-voa-journalist-by-russian-government/ Thu, 14 Mar 2024 21:45:31 +0000 https://www.usagm.gov/?p=55910 USAGM CEO Amanda Bennett issued the following statement after Russian authorities banned Voice of America National Security Correspondent Jeff Seldin from entering Russia.

“The Russian government’s decision to ban VOA National Security Correspondent Jeff Seldin from its country echoes a growing wave of threats to press freedom by authoritarian regimes. 

We unequivocally stand by VOA’s mandate to provide accurate, objective news and information to every part of the world, and support their steadfast service to their audiences in Russia.”

Voice of America’s statement can be found here.

]]> USAGM budget request rises to meet growing global challenges in FY 2025 https://www.usagm.gov/2024/03/11/usagm-budget-request-rises-to-meet-growing-global-challenges-in-fy-2025/ Mon, 11 Mar 2024 20:03:06 +0000 https://www.usagm.gov/?p=55895 The President today released his Fiscal Year 2025 Budget Request, outlining $950.0 million for the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM) to advance its mission to inform, engage, and connect people around the world in support of freedom and democracy – in an increasingly challenging global media landscape.

This budget request marks a 7.4 percent increase over FY 2023, and outlines new investments and initiatives to support two federal networks: Voice of America (VOA) and the Office of Cuba Broadcasting (OCB); five non-federal entities: Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL), Radio Free Asia (RFA), the Middle East Broadcasting Networks (MBN), Open Technology Fund (OTF); and a newly created non-federal entity which will incubate, test, and propagate new operating strategies to improve the agency’s service delivery, including a forthcoming Global News Service to launch in Mandarin, English and eventually more languages.

The FY 2025 budget request comes on the heels of growing attention to USAGM’s mission. Over the past decade, the total measured audience of USAGM’s five networks has more than doubled, with the Agency currently reaching 420 million people weekly in 63 languages and over 100 countries – often in some of the world’s most restrictive media environments. Amid rising global pressures, the USAGM networks’ combined measured audience is the largest of any publicly-funded international news organization in the world, and its networks’ credibility with audiences remains significantly higher than that of state-sponsored media competitors.

“Communities around the world are being inundated with lies, half-truths, and conspiracy theories, leading to misunderstanding, conflict, and even war. America’s adversaries spend billions of dollars to control the flow of information in critical markets each year, and their strategies – which largely blame the United States, the West, and democratic institutions for all global ills – are gaining traction,” said USAGM CEO Amanda Bennett. “There has not been such an urgent need to provide accurate news and information to a world awash in propaganda since WWII. Fortunately, the President’s FY 2025 budget request puts us in a strong position to counter these challenges by investing in the most impactful aspects of our operation.”

USAGM’s FY 2025 Congressional Budget Justification provides greater detail about the initiatives USAGM will undertake in the next fiscal year, including priority efforts to increase network reach, counter malign influence of the People’s Republic of China (PRC), Russia, Iran, and others, bolster journalist safety and achieve cost efficiencies – all while positioning the agency for the challenges ahead.

USAGM also released an updated version of its 2022-2026 Strategic Plan today. Developed with performance data and feedback from key stakeholders – including the newly confirmed International Broadcasting Advisory Board – the updated strategic plan commits the Agency to continue to reach new audiences, earning credibility with impactful and compelling content, and modernizing its production and broadcasting capabilities to compete in a rapidly evolving media environment.

For more information, please see the U.S. Agency for Global Media’s FY 2025 Congressional Budget Justification here, and the updated 2022-2026 Strategic Plan here.

 

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VOA statement denouncing actions by Tehran Revolutionary Court against VOA journalists https://www.usagm.gov/2024/02/28/voa-statement-denouncing-actions-by-tehran-revolutionary-court-against-voa-journalists/ Wed, 28 Feb 2024 15:23:04 +0000 https://www.usagm.gov/?p=55877 VOA condemns the recently revealed actions taken in secret by the Tehran Revolutionary Court in 2022 that tried and convicted 44 journalists – including 11 at VOA – in absentia for allegedly producing “propaganda against the government.”

“These actions by Iran are thinly veiled attempts to stop the free flow of information into Iran,” said Acting VOA Director John Lippman. “They are also evidence of the success of VOA Persian broadcasts and web and social media in having an influential role in keeping the issues of women’s rights, open expression, and the importance of a free society front and center in Iran. VOA stands by our journalists and their reporting. We are reviewing ways to enhance security, for both the people who were named and for their families, and we will work with outside agencies and stakeholders to do so.”

Iran’s press freedom is ranked among the very worst in the world, ranking at 177 out of 180 according to Reporters Without Borders. Only Vietnam, China and North Korea rank below Iran. Iran is not only one of the most repressive countries with regard to press freedom but also one of the world’s biggest jailers of journalists.

VOA’s Persian-language programming to Iran confronts the disinformation and censorship efforts of the Iranian regime and enhances U.S. efforts to speak directly to the Iranian people and the global Persian-speaking diaspora providing the audiences with fact-based information and news, current affairs, cultural and entertaining content that gives them an inside look into what American life and the American people are like. Programs can be accessed on the 24-hour direct-to-home satellite television channel VOA365, web, mobile apps and a host of social media platforms.

About VOA

Voice of America reaches a global weekly audience of more than 326 million people in 48 languages. VOA programs are delivered on satellite, cable, shortwave, FM, medium wave, streaming audio and video and more than 2,350 media outlets worldwide. It is funded by the U.S. Congress through USAGM.

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RFE/RL President Capus meets Ukrainian President Zelenskiy, discusses imprisoned journalist in Crimea https://www.usagm.gov/2024/02/26/rfe-rl-president-capus-meets-ukrainian-president-zelenskiy-discusses-imprisoned-journalist-in-crimea/ Mon, 26 Feb 2024 21:45:44 +0000 https://www.usagm.gov/?p=55866 During a meeting on Sunday between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) President Stephen Capus, the Ukrainian leader commended RFE/RL’s coverage of the Russian invasion as the war enters its third year this week.

When asked about the fate of RFE/RL journalist Vladyslav Yesypenko—who’s been behind bars in Russia-occupied Crimea on trumped up charges for nearly three years—Zelenskiy said freeing political prisoners in Crimea, “especially journalists,” is a priority and will be on the agenda of the upcoming inaugural Peace Summit in Switzerland.

The Ukrainian president told Capus that he raises the issue of the exchange of Ukrainians, particularly political prisoners, during all his meetings with foreign leaders.

“It is very important for us to return all prisoners home…This is hard work, especially regarding the return of Crimeans, especially journalists, political prisoners,” he said.

Capus told Zelenskiy that Yesypenko is “only guilty of reporting the truth about Russia’s occupation of Crimea.”

“Vlad’s release would send a strong signal that people who speak the truth will not be forgotten despite these difficult times. We appreciate all efforts to ensure that Vlad returns to his wife Kateryna and daughter Stefania as soon as possible,” he told the Ukrainian leader.

The two also discussed RFE/RL’s mission to bring independent, uncensored news about the war in Ukraine to local audiences. A July 2023 Gallup World Poll found that 95 percent of Ukrainians trust RFE/RL’s content, which is consumed on various platforms each week by more than 14 percent of the population.

“Our reporters work on the front lines,” Capus told Zelenskiy. “Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty has been here for 70 years. We were here yesterday, we are here today, and we will be here tomorrow.”

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RFE/RL condemns extension of American journalist’s detention in Russia https://www.usagm.gov/2024/02/01/rfe-rl-condemns-extension-of-american-journalists-detention-in-russia/ Thu, 01 Feb 2024 14:03:50 +0000 https://www.usagm.gov/?p=55722 Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) is outraged by today’s decision in Kazan, Russia to extend the detention of imprisoned American journalist Alsu Kurmasheva until April 5. Alsu has been behind bars and separated from her family since October 18, 2023 during a trip to Russia to visit her ailing, elderly mother.

RFE/RL President Stephen Capus says:

“Russian authorities are conducting a deplorable criminal campaign against the wrongfully detained Alsu Kurmasheva. Imprisoned and treated unjustly simply because she is an American journalist, Alsu’s prison sentence has been extended again.

The world’s journalistic, human rights organizations, and diplomatic communities are standing with Alsu today. RFE/RL thanks the EU governments who sent representatives to today’s proceedings. Yet, Russia continues its systematic prosecution.

Alsu should be officially declared “wrongfully detained” by the United States Department of State, just as the Wall Street Journal’s Evan Gershkovich was immediately designated after his unjust arrest.

Russia bears the ultimate responsibility for Alsu’s fate. Alsu should be released immediately and allowed to return to her loving family.

It is beyond time to #FreeAlsu.”

Last week, on CNN’s The Lead with Jake Tapper, Alsu’s husband, Pavel Butorin, said, “100 days in detention in Russia is 100 days too many. For 100 days now, Alsu has been denied phone calls with her family, with her children. And for 100 days, as an American citizen, she has been denied visits from the U.S. embassy in Moscow.”

On January 25, dozens of Alsu’s RFE/RL colleagues released a video saying “Free Alsu” in 38 languages, including the 27 languages in which RFE/RL broadcasts to its local audiences.

Alsu began her career with RFE/RL in 1998 and is a journalist with RFE/RL’s Tatar-Bashkir Service. She holds U.S. and Russian citizenship and lives in Prague with her husband and two daughters.

About RFE/RL

Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty is a private, independent international news organization whose programs — radio, Internet, television, and mobile — reach influential audiences in 23 countries, including Russia, Ukraine, Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, the republics of Central Asia and the Caucasus. It is funded by the U.S. Congress through USAGM.

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Detained U.S. journalist Alsu Kurmasheva marks 100 days in a Russian prison https://www.usagm.gov/2024/01/25/detained-u-s-journalist-alsu-kurmasheva-marks-100-days-in-a-russian-prison/ Thu, 25 Jan 2024 15:23:52 +0000 https://www.usagm.gov/?p=55693 Thursday, January 25th marks the 100th day American journalist Alsu Kurmasheva will spend unjustly imprisoned in the southern Russian city of Kazan. For more than three months, Alsu has been denied consular access—her right as an American—and deprived of contact with her husband and two daughters.

Stephen Capus, Acting President of RFE/RL, says:

“Even one day unjustly behind bars is a tragedy, but a U.S. citizen wrongfully held in a Russian prison for 100 days is outrageous. Alsu is a wife, mother, and beloved member of this proud institution. Simply put, Russia should grant her unconditional and immediate release.

We hope the U.S. State Department will quickly designate Alsu as ‘wrongfully detained.’”

To mark the grim milestone of Alsu’s 100th day in prison, dozens of her colleagues say “Free Alsu” in 38 languages in this new video, which includes the 27 languages in which RFE/RL broadcasts to its local audiences.

Alsu began her career with RFE/RL in 1998 and is a journalist with RFE/RL’s Tatar-Bashkir Service. She holds U.S. and Russian citizenship and lives in Prague with her husband and two children. Alsu was detained in Kazan, Russia, on October 18 last year while visiting her elderly, ailing mother.

About RFE/RL

Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty is a private, independent international news organization whose programs — radio, Internet, television, and mobile — reach influential audiences in 23 countries, including Russia, Ukraine, Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, the republics of Central Asia and the Caucasus. It is funded by the U.S. Congress through USAGM.

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Martí condemns targeting of contributor by Cuban officials https://www.usagm.gov/2024/01/09/marti-condemns-targeting-of-contributor-by-cuban-officials/ Tue, 09 Jan 2024 21:08:43 +0000 https://www.usagm.gov/?p=55611 Today, Dr. Oscar Elias Biscet, a Radio Martí contributor, and U.S. Presidential Medal of Freedom honoree, was arrested by Cuban authorities while leaving his home in Havana. Dr. Biscet is best known for his coverage of current events and human rights around the world and in Cuba, and his arrest coincides with the annual meeting of the Emilia Project, a project he founded to promote democracy and human rights in Cuba. Dr. Biscet was previously detained by Cuban officials exactly one year ago to date, just before the Emilia Project’s annual meeting in 2023.

Sylvia Rosabal, Director of the Office of Cuba Broadcasting, condemned Dr. Biscet’s detention in the strongest terms.

“The Cuban government’s targeting of Dr. Biscet — two years in a row, just before the Emilia Project’s annual meeting – is an obvious attempt to silence the pursuit of human rights in Cuba,” said Office of Cuba Broadcasting Director Sylvia Rosabal. “This violation by Cuban officials should be considered yet another warning to anyone who dares to express concern about the rights of all people. We stand with Dr. Biscet and his family, and call for his immediate release.”

Dr. Biscet was arrested at his home in Havana on the morning of January 9 and held without cause or explanation. Dr. Biscet has been imprisoned on several occasions and spent nearly a decade behind bars after being sentenced to 25 years in prison. Amnesty International declared Dr. Biscet a prisoner of conscience in 2003; he was released in 2011 due to international pressure.

Despite attempts from Cuban authorities to force him out, Dr. Biscet has refused to leave the island and has worked to expand the Emilia Project, a grassroots campaign to educate Cubans about human rights, non-violent civil disobedience, and topics associated with freedom and democracy.

Dr. Biscet received OCB’s David Burke Award for excellence in journalism in 2022, and was awarded the U.S. Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2007.

Update: OCB Director Sylvia Rosabal issued the following update on the evening of January 9, 2024: “Dr. Biscet has been released from custody and has since returned home. Mr. Biscet, his family and his colleagues are tremendously grateful for the efforts on his behalf.”

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Office of Cuba Broadcasting partners with Odesa Center for Disinformation Studies to counter Russian propaganda https://www.usagm.gov/2023/12/21/office-of-cuba-broadcasting-partners-with-odesa-center-for-disinformation-studies-to-counter-russian-propaganda/ Thu, 21 Dec 2023 16:48:52 +0000 https://www.usagm.gov/?p=55587 The Office of Cuba Broadcasting (OCB) and the Odesa Center for Disinformation Studies (OCDS) – a part of Odesa National University (ONU) – have embarked on a groundbreaking collaboration aimed at countering the pervasive influence of Russian disinformation, particularly in Spanish-language media. This partnership signifies a major step in addressing the dissemination of Russian propaganda that is echoed in the narrative of Cuba’s official press and foreign policy.  

OCB Director Sylvia Rosabal expressed her enthusiasm for the joint effort: “A professional study of the depth and impact of Russian propaganda in the Cuban press and official narrative better prepares the audience to differentiate objective information from malicious propaganda, whether it emanates from Russia, China, or Iran. We are immensely grateful for this opportunity to collaborate with the OCDS.”

Russian state-controlled media outlets, such as RT Actualidad and Sputnik Mundo, have been identified as primary sources of pro-Kremlin news content in Cuban media, often echoing Russia’s stance on the conflict in Ukraine. This collaboration seeks to dissect and understand these narratives to reduce their impact.

The OCDS, recently established within the Faculty of International Relations, Political Science, and Sociology at ONU, aims to analyze Russian disinformation tactics, focusing on their strategies and repercussions. The Center’s involvement in this project underscores a dedicated effort to cultivate a nuanced comprehension of Russian disinformation tactics. The outcome of this cooperation between OCB and OCDS will be useful in combating Russian disinformation and will be an effective tool in fulfilling our mission to inform the people of Cuba with objective and truthful facts.

This initiative seeks to address a widely recognized void of unbiased and accurate news in Cuba. By offering unique, well-informed perspectives, this partnership will equip audiences with the tools to effectively challenge and dismantle Russian disinformation. This new venture aligns with the strategic objectives of the U.S. Agency for Global Media’s 2022-2026 Strategic Plan, which highlights the critical need to counter global disinformation. 

About OCB

The Office of Cuba Broadcasting oversees Radio and Television Martí, its news website Martínoticias.com, and associated social media platforms. Headquartered in Miami, Florida, the Martís are a multimedia hub of unbiased and objective news, information, and analysis that provide the people of Cuba with interactive programs seven days a week through satellite television, shortwave and AM radio, and digital platforms.

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RFE/RL condemns new charges against American journalist Alsu Kurmasheva in Russia https://www.usagm.gov/2023/12/13/rfe-rl-condemns-new-charges-against-american-journalist-alsu-kurmasheva-in-russia/ Wed, 13 Dec 2023 19:15:07 +0000 https://www.usagm.gov/?p=55581 On December 13, Russian investigators launched another criminal case against Alsu Kurmasheva, an American journalist with Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty’s (RFE/RL) Tatar-Bashkir Service, who has been wrongfully detained in Kazan, Russia, since October 18.

Already facing false “foreign agent” charges, Kurmasheva is now accused of violating Article 207.3 of the Russian Criminal Code, which effectively criminalizes reporting about Russia’s war on Ukraine. If convicted on both charges, Kurmasheva could face up to 15 years in prison.

“We strongly condemn Russian authorities’ apparent decision to bring additional charges against Alsu,” said RFE/RL acting President and Board Member Dr. Jeffrey Gedmin. “Journalism is not a crime. It is time for this cruel persecution to end. Alsu has already spent eight weeks unjustly detained and separated from her family.”

Kurmasheva lives in Prague, Czech Republic, with her husband and two young daughters. She traveled to Russia in May to care for her elderly, ailing mother. When she tried to return home in early June, authorities took her passports and prevented her from leaving. Since then, Russian investigators have launched three separate criminal cases against her.

About RFE/RL

Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty is a private, independent international news organization whose programs — radio, Internet, television, and mobile — reach influential audiences in 23 countries, including Russia, Ukraine, Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, the republics of Central Asia and the Caucasus. It is funded by the U.S. Congress through USAGM.

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