BBG Watch Commentary

Russian and International Media on Radio Liberty Crisis

After Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) fired more than 30 Radio Liberty journalists in Moscow, without letting them say good bye to their audience and hired Masha Gessen to be the new director of its Russian Service, RFE/RL president Steven Korn assured members of the Broadcasting Board of Governors (BBG) who employ him that the whole controversy will blow over in a week or two. He was wrong.

Media in Russia continue to report on the ongoing crisis at Radio Liberty, as do international media. Most Russian media reports in November focused on the Radio Liberty in Exile group of fired journalists and their new news website SvobodaNew.com.

Our list of Russian and international media reports on the Radio Liberty crisis is far from complete. There have been so far at least 30 new Russian and international news reports in November.

Russian and International Media on Radio Liberty Crisis
In PDF

1.  Masha Gessen naznachili direktorom Radio Svoboda, Lenta.ru, September 14, 2012

 

2.  Ol’ga Kuz’menkova, Zhuravlem na “Svobodu.” Masha Gessen a novoi rabote na radio “Svoboda” i vstreche s Vladimirom Putinym, Gazeta.ru, September 14, 2012

 

3.  Redaktor saita “Radio Svoboda” soobshchila ob uvol’nenii vsei internet-redaktsii, Lenta.ru, September 15, 2012

 

4.  Radio Liberty Hires Gessen, Moscow Times, September 17, 2012

 

5.  Predstaviteli internet-redaktsii “Radio Svoboda” zaiavili o massovykh uvol’neniiakh, Interfax, September 20, 2012

 

6.  Masha Gessen uvolila internet-redaktsiiu Radio Svoboda, Lenta.ru, September, 20, 2012

 

7.  Uvolena vsia internet-redaltsiia radio “Svoboda”. Gessen zaiavliaet, chto eto ne ee reshenie, Gazeta.ru, September 20, 2012

 

8.  Novyi skandal razgoraetsia v otechestvennoi media-sfere, Ekho Moskvy, September, 20, 2012

 

9.  Radio “Svoboda” prekratit veshchanie v efire s noiabria, BBC Russian Service, September 21, 2012

 

10.  Andrei Arkhipov, Masha Gessen na “Radio Svoboda ostalas’ bez sotrudnikov i efira, Vesti.ru, September 21, 2012

 

11.  Predstaviteli internet-redaktsii “Radio Svoboda” zaiavili o massovykh uvol’neniiakh, Argumenty i fakty, September 21, 2012

 

12.  Mikhail Koblents, Masha Gessen uvolila internet-redaktsiiu “Radio Svoboda”, Vecherniaia Moskva, September 21, 2012

 

13.  Agha Iqrar Haroon, US-Based Radio Liberty Gone with the Wind in Russia, ETN Global Travel and Industry News, September 21, 2012

 

14.  Radio Liberty to Stop Medium-Wave Brocasts on November 10, Kyiv Post, September 21, 2012

 

15.  Masha Gessen obvinila vo lzhi uvolennuiu sotrudnitsu radio “Svoboda”: Menia tam ne bylo, NEWSru, September 21, 2012

 

16.  Ekaterina Kirillova, Masha Gessen ne priznaetsia v uvol’nenii internet-redaktsii radio “Svoboda,”Moskovskii Komsomolets, September 21, 2012

 

17.  Aleksandr Polivanov, Vse svobodny. Kak izmenilis’ “vrazheskie golosa” v Rossii, Lenta.ru, September 21, 2012

 

18.  “Ekho Moskvy priiutit ostavshikhsia bez raboty zhurnalistov so “Svobody,” Lenta.ru, September 21, 2012

 

19.  “Radio Svoboda” pereidet na internet-veshchanie, Lenta.ru, September 21, 2012

 

20.  Direktorstvo Gessen na radio “Svoboda” nachalos’ so skandala, Gazeta.ru, September 22, 2012

 

21.  Liudmila Telen’, Ubiistvo po alfavitu, Novaia Gazeta, September 22, 2012

 

22.  Grigorii Omskii, Chto proiskhodit na radio “Svoboda”: interv’iu s sotrudnikom stantsii, Newsland, September 24, 2012

 

23.  Daniel Greenfield, Obama Shuts Down Radio Liberty, FrontPage Magazine, September 24, 2012

 

24.  Elena Rykovtseva, O daite, daite mne “Svobodu”, ili Zhuravli prileteli, Novaia Gazeta, September 24, 2012

 

25.  Viktor Shenderovich, Peizazh s podrobnostiami, Ezhednevnyi Zhurnal, September 25, 2012

 

26.  Jonathan Earle, Kicked Off Airwaves, Radio Liberty Rethinks Strategy, Moscow Times, September 25, 2012

 

27.  Russia: tolte le frequenze a Radio Liberty, licenziati 40 giornalisti, Libero, September 25, 2012

 

28.  Mumin Shakirov, The End of “Liberty,” Open Democracy, September 26, 2012

 

29.  East European Journalist Defends Russian Broadcasters Fired by Radio Liberty, BBG Watch, September 26, 2012

 

30.  Liudmila Alekseeva, Sergei Kovalev, Vladimir Bukovski, Tatiana Iankelevich, Pavel Litvinov, Aleksei Simov, Lev Ponomarev, To [the US Senate Committee on Foreing Relations], US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Senator Benjamin Cardin, EuropaRussia, September 27, 2012

 

31.  Vladimir Kara-Murza, Putin Critics Slam “Ludicrous Reset” as US Silences Radio Liberty, World Affairs, September 27, 2012

 

32.  Pravozashchitniki pozhalovalis’ na Mashu Gessen v Kongress SSHA. Liudmila Alekseeva, Lev Ponomarev, Sergei Kovalev i drugie prosiat vernut’ v efir radio “Svoboda,”, Snob, September 27, 2012

 

33.  Pravozashchitniki prosiat peresmotret’ reshenie o zakrytii radio”Svoboda,” RIA Novosti, September 27, 2012

 

34.  Rights Activists Ask US not to Stop Radio Liberty Broadcasts in Russia, Kyiv Post, September 27, 2012

 

35.  Elena Vlasenko, Iconic Radio Free Europe Moscow Bureau Shot by Both Sides, UNCUT. Free Speech on the Frontline, September 28, 2012

 

36.  Once Upon a Time There Was Radio Liberty, BBG Watch, September 28, 2120
37.  The Committee for US International Broadcasting Condemns Crippling of Radio Liberty in Russia, CUSIB, October 1, 2012

 

38.  Former Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Kasyanov Appeals to the Broadcasting Board of Governors over Mas Firing of Radio Liberty Journalists, BBG Watch, October 1, 2012

 

39.  Lev Roitman, Reset at Radio Liberty Russia – Never Attribute to Malice That which is Adequately Explained by Stupidity, BBG Watch, October 1, 2012

 

40.  Gorbachev vstupilsia za uvolennykh so ”Svobody” zhurnalistov, Interfax, October 2, 2012

 

41.  Vladimir Ryzhkov, Obama Caves in to Kremlin Repression, The Moscow Times, October 2, 2012

 

42.  Vladimir Milov, Desperate Political Idiocy, v-milov.blogspot.it, October 2, 2012

 

43.  Breaking News: Gorbachev, Other Russian Opposition Leaders Defend Fired Radio Liberty Journalists, Criticize US Management and Obama Administration, BBG Watch, October 2, 2012

 

44. Masha Gessen: “Svoboda” dolzhna delat’ to, chto ne delaiut drugie, Argumenty i fakty, October 1, 2012

 

45.  Obama Knifes the Radio Liberty Baby, Dying Russia, October 2, 2012

 

46.  Mario Corti, Former Radio Liberty Russia Service Director Mario Corti – RFER/RL Management Turns Radio Listeners And Visitor to its Website in Russia into Anti-Americans, BBG Watch, October 3, 2012

 

47.  Aleksandr Artem’ev, Aleksei Zaitsev, “Putinskii rezhim po svoei prirode ne mozhet stat’ luchshe.” Zakrytie radio “Svoboda bylo biurokraticheskoi glupost’iu, vpisyvaiushcheisia v logiki politiki ustupok Moskve, uveren professor Satter, Gazeta.ru, October 5, 2012

 

48.  Special Operation at Radio Liberty, Part One, BBG Watch, October 5, 2012

 

49.  Special Operation at Radio Liberty, Part Two, BBG Watch, October 6, 2012

 

50.  Dismissed Radio Liberty Moscow Journalists Ask CUSIB to Present Their Appeal to US Administration, CUSIB, October 8, 2012

 

51.  Moscow Protest Over Radio Liberty Staff Cuts, Euronews, October 8, 2012

 

52.  Mario Corti, “Radio Svoboda”: zhurnalisty protiv biurokratov. Byvshii direktor Russkoi sluzhby Mario Corti o roformirovanii radiostantsii, ee prichinakh i sledstviiakh, Colta, October 8, 2012

 

53.  U posol’stva SShA ustroili piket v podderzhku Radio “Svoboda,” Lenta.ru, October 9, 2012

 

54.  Tatiana Yankelevich, Digging an Early Grave for Radio Liberty, Moscow Times. October 9, 2012

 

55.  CUSIB Joins the Rally Cry for Radio Liberty Supporters, CUSIB, October 10, 2012

 

56.  Tatiana Yankelevich, Digging an Early Grave for Radio Liberty, The St.Petersburg Times. October 10, 2012

 

57.  Blanquita Cullum, Stiffling Free Speech Abroad, The Washington Times, October 10, 2012

 

58.  CUSIB Applauds Former BBG Blanquita Cullum’s Statement on Radio Liberty Crisis, CUSIB, October 12, 2012

 

59.  Kirill Filimonov, Radio Libety Firings Gut Moscow Office. Russians Left with State-Run Media, The Washington Times, October 12, 2012

 

60.  Viktor Shenderovich on the Recent Changes at Radio Liberty [Introduction and Translation by Martin Dewhirst], Human Rights in Russia, October 14, 2012

 

61.  Adam Kredo, US to End Pro-Democracy Broadcasts in Russia, The Washington Free Beacon, October 15, 2012

 

62.  Adam Kredo in The Washington Free Beacon on the End of American Radio Liberty Broadcasts in Russia, The Wall Street Journal, October 15, 2012

 

63.  Henry J. Reske, Obama Ends Radio Liberty Broadcasts in Russia, Newsmax, October 15, 2012

 

64.  Steve Korn, New Radio Liberty to Carry Out its Old Mission, Moscow Times, October 16, 2012

 

65.  Heritage Foundation Scholar [Helle Dale] Calls for Return to Work of Fired Radio Liberty Journalists, BBG Watch, October 16, 2012

 

66.  Corey Flintoff, Radio Liberty to Stop AM Radio Broadcasts in Russia, NPR, October 18, 2012

 

67.  Putin Wins: Obama Shutting Down US Pro-Democracy Radio Broadcasts in Russia, Before It’s News, October 19, 2012

 

68.  George Rasley, Obama Caves to Putin, Abandons Reagan’s Radio Liberty, Massteaparty, October 20, 2012

 

69.  Nikolaus von Twickel, Radio Liberty Hiring New Team, Executive Says, Moscow Times, October 22, 2012

 

70.  Mario Corti & Ted Lipien, Silenced by Washington.Mass Firings Have Ended the Distinguished History of Radio Liberty in Russia, National Review, October 23, 2012

 

71.  Maksim Istomin, “Radio Svoboda” ukhodit iz Rossii, no obeshchaet vernut’sia, CNews, October 24, 2012

 

72.  Natalia Raibman, Rukovodstvo radio “Svoboda” otritsaet obvineniia v “predatel’stve idealov demokratii,”Vedomosti, October 29, 2012

 

73.  Prezident “Radio Svoboda” vstretilsia s uvolennymi sotrudnikami, Lenta.ru, October 29. 2012

 

74.  Margarita Zhuravleva, Glava “Svobody” prishel k pravozashchitnikam, uvolennye zhurnalisty ustroili piket,TVRAIN, October 29. 2012

 

75.  Uvolennye sotrudniki “Radio Svoboda” i pravozashchitniki vstretilis’ s prezidentom radiostantsii, Lenizdat,Lenta.ru, October 30, 2012

 

76.  Nina Somina, “Radio Svoboda” ob-edinit Moskvu i Pragu, Lenizdat, October 31, 2012

 

77.  Anastasia Kirilenko, Why I am Leaving the New Radio Liberty in Russia, Courrier International, November 1, 2012

 

78.  Tom Woods, US Still Needs Radio for Public Diplomacy in the Internet Age, World Politics Review, November 2, 2012

 

79.  Ivan Kovalev, Prosto Kino, Grani.ru, November 4, 2012

 

80. Anastasia Kirilenko, The Death of Radio Liberty, OpenDemocracy, November 5, 2012

 

81.  Michael Binyon, Voice of Liberty Falls Silent after 60 Years, The Times, November 5, 2012

 

82.  Russia Returns to Stricter Control, Stratfor, November 5, 2012

 

83.  Maksim Artem’ev, Svobodno o “svobode”. Semeinaia ssora, gde net ni pravykh, ni vinovatykh, Chastnyi korrespondent , November 6, 2012

 

84.  Kristina Gorelik, Radio Liberty Making Waves: Have no Lessons from the Past Being Learnt? OpenDemocracy, November 7, 2012

 

85.  Marina Timasheva, Khoziaeva i lakei. Otvet na kolonku Maksima Artem’eva, Chastnyi korrespondent, November 8, 2012

 

86.  Radio “Svoboda” prekratilo veshchanie na srednikh volnakh, RBK, November 10, 2012

 

87.  Radio Liberty Ends Russia Broadcasts, Euronews, November 10, 2012

 

88.  Anastasia Kirilenko, Research from Putin’s Pollster in Chechnya Used to Silence Radio Liberty, Courrier International, November 10, 2012

 

89.  Research from Putin’s Pollster in Chechnya Used to Silence Radio Liberty, Former RL Journalist [Anastasia Kirilenko] Reports, BBG Watch, November 11, 2012

 

90.  James Joiner Gardner, Radio Liberty Ends Russia Broadcasts as Putin Sitfles Democracy, Beforeitsnews, November 12, 2012

 

91.  Victor Ashe, VOA’s Broadcasting Board of Governors is not Fulfilling its Duties, US News and World Report, November 12, 2012

 

92.  Nina Somina, Masha Gessen – o novykh proektakh “Radio Svoboda,” Lenizdat, November 12, 2012

 

93.  Masha Karp, The Radiant Digital Future, Human Rights in Russia, November 13, 2012

 

94. Olga Saburova, “Zakrytie Radio Svoboda – podarok putinskomu rezhimu” [an interview with Mikhail Sokolov], Sobesednik №42, November 13, 2012

 

95.  “RadIo Svoboda” proinstruktirovalo regiony, Lenizdat, November 13, 2012

 

96.  Kristina Gorelik, In Russia, a Vital Link Severed, TOL, November 14, 2012

 

97.  Radio Svoboda potesnili iz rossiiskogo efira v internet, Sankei Shinbun, November 15, 2012

 

98.  Uvolennye sotrudniki “Radio Svoboda” otkryli svoi sait, Lenta.ru, November 19, 2012

 

99.  V internete poiavilos’ “Radio Svoboda v izgnanii,” Interfax, November 19, 2012

 

100.  Zhurnalisty “Radio Svoboda” zapustili sait, posviashchennyi razgonu redaktsii, Jourdom, November 19, 2012

 

101.  Uvolennye s radio” Svoboda” zhurnalisty zapustili novostnoi sait “Radio Svoboda v izgnanii”, Gazeta.ru, November 19, 2012

 

102.  Byvshie sotrudniki “Radio Svoboda” otkryli “Radio Svoboda v izgnanii”, Slon, November 19, 2012

 

103.  Uvolennye sotrudniki “Radio Svoboda” otkryli svoi proekt, Den’, Kiev, November 19, 2012

 

104.  Uvolennye sotrudniki “Radio Svoboda” otkryli novyi sait, Argumenty i fakty, November 20, 2012

 

105.  Russia Expert David Satter Offers Scathing Criticism of RFE/RL President Steven Korn, BBG Watch, November 19, 2012

 

106.  Russian Human Rights Leaders Issue a Second Letter Denouncing RFE/RL President Korn, Ask Secretary Clinton and Congress to Intervene, BBG Watch, November 21, 2012