Jeff Gedmin, President of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty
Fighting tyranny through the airwaves is Jeff Gedmin's goal. He was named president of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty on February 2, 2007. Prior to taking this new position, Gedmin had been head of the Aspen Institute in Berlin since 2001. His work before Aspen included a stint as Executive Director of the New Atlantic Initiative at the American Enterprise Institute.
In this exclusive interview with the Atlantic Community, Gedmin addresses himself to Radio Free Europe’s critics. He also talks about Radio Free Europe’s obligation to listeners.
1. Why is Radio Free Europe still relevant after the end of the Cold War?
It’s funny to hear some suggest, at least in Europe, that Radio Free Europe is a form of cultural indoctrination. First, I imagine that this sort of criticism does not come from people who follow us in our broadcast languages. Some people may not properly understand what we’re about. Second, I suspect this sort of criticism may come from people who are not fans of open markets. Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty continues to pass the market test. Our audiences love us. And the more autocratic the regime, the more vigorous the attempts to block our transmissions and oppress our consumers. An 18-year-old young man was arrested recently in Minsk for listening to Radio Liberty. In Iran, we have a reporter who has been held captive since January. Her crime? She traveled home to Iran to visit her sick mother—and she works for our Persian Service, Radio Farda.
2. What is the greatest challenge to transatlantic relations today?
It’s not the tough issues we face, like blocking the Mullahs of Iran from getting the bomb. The tough issues have always been with us. Today’s principal challenge is pathology: American hubris and European vanity.
3. What are your priorities for Radio Free Europe?
Our priorities are richer journalism and deeper analysis for our audiences! We’ve got listeners, viewers, web readers in 28 languages, from Russia to the Central Asian Republics, from Afghanistan to Iraq and Iran. In markets where free and independent media do not exist, consumers are clamoring for timely, relevant information and insight. Of course, delivery is also crucial. That’s why I am on the West Coast at the moment, talking to some of the best and brightest in Silicon Valley about new technologies and forms of cooperation between industry and Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty.
Funded by the US Congress, Radio Free Europe was started after World War II with a mission “to tell the truth” to listeners in Eastern Europe. Radio Liberty was founded shortly thereafter as a separate organization transmitting Russian-language programs into the Soviet Union. Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty now broadcasts to 18 countries and worldwide on the web.
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