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Russia Pulls Plug On VOA Programming Contract
April 10, 2014 at 4:15 AM (PT)
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The contract under which the VOICE OF AMERICA airs in RUSSIA is not being renewed, taking VOA programming off the air in that country. The BROADCASTING BOARD OF GOVERNORS reports that RUSSIA TODAY (ROSSIYA SEGODNYA) DMITRY KISELEV informed the BBG in a one-sentence letter dated MARCH 21st that RT is "not going to cooperate” with the BBG’s request for renewal.
BBG Chairman JEFF SHELL said, “MOSCOW has chosen to do the wrong thing and restrict free speech. This is a fundamental value shared by many countries around the world. The BBG will continue to reach audiences in RUSSIA through digital platforms and via satellite transmissions.”
“We urge Mr. KISELEV and other Russian authorities to open Russian airwaves to more of our programs and those of other international broadcasters,” added SHELL, pointing out that the U.S. allows RUSSIA TODAY's channel to air nationwide in AMERICA.

