WASHINGTON -- Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) President and Chief Executive Officer Ted Lipien issued the following statement today, in reference to the December 30 signing into law by Russian President Vladimir Putin of legislation that human rights watchdogs and opposition politicians have said will undermine democratic processes:
“What Russian President Vladimir Putin has done is to make the case for why Radio Liberty must continue and expand. The Kremlin is working overtime to deprive its people of news; and it is up to stations and multimedia platforms like Svoboda to ensure that it doesn't succeed and that the peoples of Russia know the truth.”