Russian Democratic Activists Supports Full-Time Broadcasting of the U.S. Congress Sponsored RADIO LIBERTY. I'm signing also.

Vladimir Bukovsky
Vladimir Kara-Murza, Jr.
Boris Nemtsov

Broadcasting Board of Governors
330 Independence Avenue SW
Washington DC 20237

October 3, 2008

Dear Board Members:

It is with concern and bewilderment that we have learned of the plans by the Broadcasting Board of Governors to reduce broadcasts of the Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty Russian service from January 1, 2009.

As you know, in recent years the Russian government has established a near-total control over national broadcasters. Russian citizens no longer have access to objective political information. Opposition leaders are barred from the airwaves, and only government-approved views are presented. Just last month Radio Ekho Moskvy, the last remaining major independent outlet, came under pressure from Prime Minister Vladimir Putin over its coverage of the war with Georgia.

It is difficult to understand why, in such a context, the BBG would wish to reduce the Russian broadcasts of Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty, which provides a rare voice of independence for hundreds of thousands of Russian listeners.

The official explanation that funds will be transferred to RFE/RL Russian-language website makes little sense, since government censorship in Russia affects mostly television and radio, while the internet is independent. In addition, the majority of Russians do not have access to the internet.

We express our hope that you will reconsider this decision.

Vladimir Bukovsky
Fmr. Presidential Candidate;
Delegate, Congress of Democratic
Forces of Russia

Vladimir Kara-Murza, Jr.
Fmr. Parliamentary Candidate;
Delegate, Congress of Democratic
Forces of Russia

Boris Nemtsov
Fmr. Deputy Prime Minister;
Delegate, Congress of
Democratic Forces of Russia

(In Russian, shortly: http://community.livejournal.com/ru_radioliberty/238149.html)