BBG Watch Commentary
Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty’s (RFE/RL) Russian Service – Radio Svoboda (www.svoboda.org) is currently looking for a Moscow-based Chief Editor, who will keep abreast of domestic and international news while supervising all journalistic output of the bureau and its field reporters/freelancers.
The successful candidate will report directly to the Managing Editor of the Russian Service in Prague.
Masha Gessen, the most recent director of the Russian Service, was based in Moscow. Former RFE/RL president Steven Korn wanted Gessen to work in Moscow. Gessen resigned earlier this year, as did Korn. Some of Radio Liberty’s journalists who were fired during Korn’s tenure as RFE/RL president, have been recently rehired by Kevin Klose, who replaced Korn.
Sources told BBG Watch that Kevin Klose’s one-year interim appointment as RFE/RL president is likely to be extended.
Klose apparently concluded that keeping the Russian Service director in Moscow was not safe or desirable. A new Russian Service director has not been named. Irina Lagunina, who is based in Prague, is in charge of the Russian Service as its chief editor.
The job announcement and the application can be seen here.
The deadline for applying for the Radio Liberty’s Russian Service Moscow-based chief editor position is September 6, 2013.