BBG Watch Commentary
The Washington Post article, published September 1, 2018, says that award-winning Azeri investigative journalist Khadija Ismayilova used to work for Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) but does not explain under what circumstances she had left the U.S.-funded organization managed by the United States Agency for Global Media (USAGM), previously called the Broadcasting Board of Governors (BBG).
This is what Khadija Ismayilova posted on her Facebook page several months ago about her previous employment with RFE/RL:
“People do not leave good organizations. I resigned from this organization because they didn’t hesitate to fire the best journalists. Their moves were dictated by the same thirst to establish control, and accompanied with breaching privacy of people. I can’t understand why they are still naming me as their contributor in some stories, but I want to make it clear. I don’t work for RFE/RL anymore.”
When Ismayilova posted this comment, RFE/RL was managed by the Broadcasting Board of Governors. The federal agency in charge of U.S. funded media overseas has recently changed its name to the United States Agency for Global Media. The USAGM agency as well as RFE/RL and the Voice of America (VOA) are still managed by top executives who were appointed to their positions during the Obama administration.
SEE: She was jailed. She was harassed. But this journalist in Azerbaijan finds new ways to battle alleged rights abuses.By Cheryl L. Reed. The Washington Post, September 1, 2018.
ALSO SEE: Renowned newswoman Khadija Ismayilova blasts RFE/RL bosses after quitting, BBG Watch, January 25, 2018.