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Putin goes after Radio Svoboda on Russian TV — CUSIB and BBG Watch

  • October 21, 2011
In a prime-time interview aired on October 17 with the heads of Russia’s three largest television stations, Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin said that during the Cold War, his former employer — the KGB — viewed Radio Svoboda as a branch of the CIA engaged in spying in the former Soviet Union, the Committee for U.S.

BBG executives unnerved by Ashe’s interest in employee morale — BBG Watch

  • October 19, 2011
According to BBG Watch sources, Broadcasting Board of Governors (BBG) executives, including International Broadcasting Bureau (IBB) senior staffers, were surprised by BBG member Victor Ashe’s public raising of the issue of employee concerns at the October 13 BBG meeting. Sources tell us they were even more surprised to receive a request from Ashe for a written report and a formal response on how they plan to address these concerns

‘America the Beautiful’ on Chinese TV

  • October 1, 2011
International media reported that Chinese state TV played the music of “America the Beautiful” (without lyrics) during the historic launch of the country’s first space laboratory. BBC: ‘America the Beautiful’ accompanies China rocket launch BBC reported that some Chinese people say that CCTV must have made a mistake with the music

BBG ‘s PR gurus come and go quickly, wrong strategy remains

  • September 30, 2011
Al Kamen reported in his Washington Post In the Loop column that longtime State Department employee Diane Zeleny, who several weeks ago got a new job as director of communications and external relations at the Broadcasting Board of Governors, announced that she is leaving her post. She told her colleagues that she will be leaving shortly to start a job as VP for Strategy and Communications at the Legatum Institute. The Institute is based in London, but she will work mostly from Washington with frequent trips to London and Dubai where Legatum has offices.

Director Ensor says VOA to China will not go silent on October 1

  • September 29, 2011
This email just in less than 10 minutes ago, from David Ensor, Voice of America Director. Colleagues in the China Branch, I want to take this opportunity to share information with you about the FY 2012 budget and its possible impact on the Mandarin and Cantonese Services. I have been working closely with other senior agency managers on developments relating to VOA China programs and can confirm for you today that the proposed reductions to the VOA Mandarin and Cantonese Services will not take place on October 1.

Forum restarted; Politburo Media Review launched

  • September 25, 2011
We have restarted BBG Watch Forum. There are still some bugs, but it works. We have also launched BBG Watch “Politburo Media Review.” The name is somewhat humorous but the purpose is serious