BBG Watch Commentary
Since the Voice of America (VOA) did not report yesterday on the U.S. State Department’s comments on Russia’s visa denial for David Satter, BBG Watch is reporting the full text and providing a link to video from on-camera daily press briefing, January 14, 2014.
VOA also did not report on a statement by Broadcasting Board of Governors (BBG) Chairman Jeff Shell.
State Department Daily Press Briefing
14 January 2014
U.S. Department of State
On-Camera Daily Press Briefing Index
Tuesday, January 14, 2014
1:30 p.m. EST
Briefer: Marie Harf, Deputy SpokespersonQUESTION: Do you have any comment on Russia’s expulsion of a journalist who was critical of President Putin?
MS. HARF: I do. I think – are you referring to David Satter?
QUESTION: Yes.
MS. HARF: So we are disappointed that Russian authorities denied a visa to RFERL – to Radio Free Europe – advisor David Satter. The U.S. Embassy in Moscow has raised our concerns on this case and the treatment of journalists and media organizations in general with Russian authorities.
As we’ve said many times before, hindering the free flow of information undermines the kind of open environment for free debate and discussion that supports innovation and dynamism, and we’ll continue to monitor the case.
QUESTION: And I’m very sorry. You are quite right, and I misstated it, that it was a visa denial.
MS. HARF: Yeah.
Read more: State Department Daily Press Briefing, 14 January 2014