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.”
About RFE/RL
RFE/RL relies on its networks of local reporters to provide accurate news and information to more than 41 million people in 27 languages and 23 countries where media freedom is restricted, or where a professional press has not fully developed. Its videos were viewed 6.5 billion times on Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram/IGTV in FY2020. RFE/RL is an editorially independent media company funded by a grant from the U.S. Congress through the U.S. Agency for Global Media.
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FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:
Martins Zvaners in Washington (zvanersm@rferl.org, +1.202.457.6948)
Jana Hokuvova in Prague (hokuvovaj@rferl.org, +420.221.122.072)