Michael Pack
Source: US Senate
The leaders of Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty fired the general manager of the US federal news agency, named 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 broadcast network, but is linked to USAGM.
He shook the ranks of the agency and the management of its networks, installing loyal colleagues of President Donald Trump in key roles.
The letter includes criticism of Pack’s board members, who later approved Ted Lipien to become CEO of Radio Free Europe.
“Defying the long-standing practice, you appointed a council of inexperienced partisans with no industrial or regional expertise – a council you called a substitute council itself and yet one you are now looking to consolidate for two years. or more ”writes the letter.
“You used this board to briefly approve Ted Lipien, an untested, untested candidate with a history of unilateral writing about RFE / RL and other international broadcasters in the United States,” he said.
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 in its programming. America’s voice falls under the USAGM.
The letter was signed by members of the news division and the editorial board of Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty, 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-Calif., And Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky.
Pack pushed back the letter in a statement provided to CNBC.
“Ms Sindelar’s letter is full of inaccuracies. There have been no attempts to” compromise ” [networks’] liberation from political influence. “On the contrary, all the actions I have taken have been based on the responsibility and commitment mandated by Congress to carry out the USAGM mission,” said Pack.
The letter emphasizes that Pack will not keep his job after President-elect Joe Biden has been sworn in. However, the letter suggests that editorial leaders believe that Pack continues to move forward with bringing new leaders anyway.
“We see these actions as an eleven-hour effort to secure control of RFE / RL for a single US political party, at a time when your own term as CEO of US foreign broadcasting will end with the transition between Washington administrations. , ”Wrote the news leaders.
Pack, who has been at the helm of USAGM since June, has been criticized for repeated purges of longtime leaders in various networks within the agency.
Shortly after being confirmed by the US Senate, Pack removed the heads of agencies and board members, only to name those with direct ties to Trump.
Representatives for USAGM and Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty did not return requests for comment.