The new president of the federally funded Radio Free Asia network most recently ran a consulting company from Boise, Idaho that has represented foreign
The new president of the federally funded Radio Free Asia network most recently ran a consulting company from Boise, Idaho that has represented foreign
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo earlier this week in Washington, D.C. Credit: POOL/AFP via Getty Images
New Chief s Ties Shock Radio Free Asia, While Pompeo Visit to VOA Stirs Outcry By
at 3:03 pm NPR
The new president of the federally funded Radio Free Asia network most recently ran a consulting company from Boise, Idaho that has represented foreign governments and interests. Among them is Taiwan.
That connection has startled veterans of the international broadcaster. Are you serious? said Libby Liu, who led Radio Free Asia for 14 years. I don t think it s appropriate for a registered lobbyist for a foreign government to be leading a free-press organization, even democracies we support and admire.
The demotion of a Voice of America White House reporter led to an outcry. And the new head of sister network Radio Free Asia had registered as a lobbyist for Taiwan just days before taking over.
Bring Back the War of Ideas
Journalists play a critical role in liberating the world. Factual news about what America’s adversaries are doing to their people and neighbors is as important as ever because it frustrates those governments and creating hope for a future with the rule of law and accountable government.
As Chinese belligerence forces the free world into a new cold war, and amid prolonged strategic competitions with Russia and Iran, Washington should revive the war of ideas we have fought since the Continental Congress published the Declaration of Independence. That first official salvo in the battle for hearts and minds began a proud American heritage of using truth and pro-freedom information against the country’s adversaries.