RTDNA Opposes Legislation Which Threatens BBG

RADIO ONLINE | Wednesday, December 14, 2016

The Radio Television Digital News Association (RTDNA) said Tuesday that it opposes legislation under consideration in Congress, which would threaten the independence of the Broadcasting Board of Governors (BBG) and the journalistic organizations it oversees. BBG is responsible for the operation of America's government-funded broadcasting outlets.

These stations include the Voice of America, Radio Free Europe, Radio Liberty and Radio Asia, which transmit unbiased and unfettered news to other parts of the world, many of which don't have their own free media. Their independence protects them from partisan political influence. An amendment to the House version of the defense authorization bill would, if passed, 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."

RTDNA Chairman Vince Duffy said, "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. 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."