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The US Agency for Global Media USAGM condemns the Kremlin's censorship of the Russian invasion of Ukraine and everywhere.

Back in the day, when I worked there as a foreign policy media chief, the branding was different. It was then called The United States Information Agency then it became the Broadcasting Board of Governors but the mission has not changed and some say the need is greater than ever.

Then, Putin was a nobody https://www.nytimes.com/2022/03/26/world/europe/vladimir-putin-russia.h… https://www.yahoo.com/news/making-vladimir-putin-144553109.html

#USAGM https://www.usagm.gov/2022/02/08/rfe-rls-current-time-russian-language-…

This is a networked global media agency. The six entities that comprise the #USAGM complement and reinforce one another in a shared mission vital to the USA national interests: to inform, engage and connect people around the world in support of freedom and democracy. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_j94Vc-8zyg

Together, USAGM entities communicate each week with more than 394 million people across the globe.  https://www.usagm.gov/who-we-are/history/

Piercing Russia's digital Iron Curtain

Inaugurated during the Cold War, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty broke through the Iron Curtain via shortwave radio, presenting news broadcasts to countries where freedom of the press was under assault. Today, its mission is even more critical, as it counters Kremlin propaganda about the war against Ukraine with uncensored news for Russian audiences via the Internet. Correspondent Christina Ruffini examines how the organization is evading a new generation of Russian censors. https://www.cbsnews.com/video/piercing-russias-digital-iron-curtain/

Ukrainians want to embrace the values held dear by other European nations. Alexei Navalny, the jailed leader of Russia’s opposition, wants the same for his country. Vladimir Putin cannot face either desire. The organization includes:

A set of beliefs that once looked like a sideshow is now center stage in Mr. Putin’s regime. His crusade against a liberal European future is being fought in the name of “the Russian world”, a previously obscure historical term that has been revived and debased.

This new Russian cult of war has been growing unnoticed for some time. Read why the war in Ukraine is the latest and most striking manifestation of this movement: https://www.economist.com/briefing/2022/03/26/the-new-russian-cult-of-w…