Michael Pack
Source: US Senate
The leaders of Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty attacked the CEO of the federal media agency in the United States, appointed by Trump.
In a letter obtained by CNBC, the leaders of the network criticized Michael Pack, the head of the US Agency for Global Media. Radio-Free Europe / Radio Liberty is considered a non-federal broadcasting network, but is linked to the USAGM.
It has shaken the ranks of the agency and the leadership of its networks, installing loyal colleagues of President Donald Trump in key roles.
The letter includes criticism of Pack’s board nominees, who later approved Ted Lipien to become Radio Free Europe’s CEO.
“Challenging the long-standing practice, you have appointed a board made up of inexperienced supporters with no experience in the industry or the region, a board that you yourself referred to as a board of reservation sites and yet you apparently want to consolidate for two years or more “. says the letter.
“You used this forum to briefly pass Ted Lipien, an untested, unverified candidate with an often one-sided writing history on RFE / RL and other U.S. international broadcasters,” he continues.
The Associated Press reported that Lipien, a former Voice of America official, recently posted a blog post promoting the views of employees who opposed what they considered an alleged liberal bias and lack of conservative views on its programming. Voice of America is the responsibility of USAGM.
The letter was signed by members of Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty’s news division and editorial board, including the editor-in-chief and heads of digital strategy. The letter is dated Wednesday and was also sent to congressional leaders such as House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Caliph, and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky.
Pack backed the letter in a statement provided to CNBC.
“Ms Sindelar ‘s letter is full of inaccuracies. There have been no attempts to” compromise the [networks’] freedom from political influence. ”On the contrary, all the actions I have taken have been based on the responsibility and commitment that Congress forced me to fulfill the mission of the USAGM,” Pack said.
The letter notes that Pack will likely not keep his job after President-elect Joe Biden is sworn in. Still, the letter suggests that editorial leaders believe Pack continues to move forward anyway with the incorporation of new leaders.
“We view these actions as an eleven-hour effort to ensure RFE / RL retention for a single U.S. political party at a time when it is likely that your own term as CEO of U.S. foreign broadcasting end the transition between administrations in Washington, “the news leaders wrote.
Pack, who has been at the helm of the USAGM since June, has been criticized after repeated purges of longtime leaders on several agency networks.
Shortly after being confirmed by the U.S. Senate, Pack ousted agency heads and board members, only to appoint those who had direct ties to Trump.
Representatives from USAGM and Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty did not return requests for comment.