RTDNA Voices Opposition To Plan To Abolish Broadcasting Board Of Governors, Give More Power To CEO

Endangered?

The bill proposing the elimination of the BROADCASTING BOARD OF GOVERNORS and concentrating power over U.S.-funded international broadcasting operations in the CEO (NET NEWS 12/2) has drawn the opposition of the RADIO TELEVISION DIGITAL NEWS ASSOCIATION (RTDNA).

In a release TODAY (12/12), the RTDNA, noting the BBG's operation of the VOICE OF AMERICA, RADIO FREE EUROPE/RADIO LIBERTY, and RADIO ASIA, said that the station's independence "protects them from partisan political influence. An amendment to the House version of the defense authorization bill would, if passed, would abolish the BBG and replace it with a single executive, answerable only to the President."

"RTDNA finds this concept ill-conceived and totally unacceptable — regardless of who occupies 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue," said RTDNA Executive Director MIKE CAVENDER. "We oppose it vigorously!"

"One of the things journalists in Southeast EUROPE praised the U.S. for is the fact that we operate without, technically, a state-controlled media service," RTDNA Chairman VINCE DUFFY said. "But this is a step in that direction and another step backwards for the free and independent press we try to provide as an example to democracies around the world."

The release closes with the RTDNA urging the Senate to "reject this amendment, preserve the BROADCASTING BOARD OF GOVERNORS and protect the editorial independence of broadcast operations that demonstrate the values of unbiased journalism to the rest of the world. The proposed changes would move the country's international broadcasting operations closer than ever to a form of state-controlled media. Such a change is antithetical to a free and open media — something admired and respected the world over by countries that are not fortunate enough to have their own."

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