Statement of Clarification on Remarks by Walter Isaacson
In remarks at the 60th anniversary of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty on Sept. 28, Walter Isaacson, Chairman of the Broadcasting Board of Governors, discussed the importance of the journalistic mission of U.S. international broadcasting. He wants to clarify his comment concerning enemies. He meant to refer to enemies within Afghanistan – those that advocate terrorism. He did not mean to refer to, nor does he consider, that Russia, China, and the other countries or news services he mentioned are enemies of the U.S., and he regrets giving that impression.
The Broadcasting Board of Governors is an independent federal agency, supervising all U.S. government-supported, civilian international broadcasting, whose mission is to promote freedom and democracy and to enhance understanding through multi-media communication of accurate, objective, and balanced news, information, and other programming about America and the world to audiences overseas. BBG broadcasting organizations include the Voice of America, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, the Middle East Broadcasting Networks (Alhurra TV and Radio Sawa), Radio Free Asia, and the Office of Cuba Broadcasting (Radio and TV Martí).