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Breaking NEWS: Acting USAGM CEO Kelu Chao has fired the presidents of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Radio Free Asia & the Middle East Broadcasting Networks, as of 6pm.
RFE's Ted Lipien, RFA's Stephen J. Yates and MBN's Victoria Coates were appointed in late December /MORE
RFE's Ted Lipien, RFA's Stephen J. Yates and MBN's Victoria Coates were appointed in late December /MORE
Unlike Voice of America and the Cuban broadcasters, these are technically private not-for-profit networks. Chao also fired the members of the corporate boards appointed by her predecessor, Trump's USAGM CEO, Michael Pack. /MORE
Pack stocked these boards with ideological appointees - all hardline right-wingers and Trump loyalists. Board member Roger L. Simon wrote in his column for the Epoch Times (!) that the boards would never give in. MORE/ https://www.theepochtimes.com/the-board-of-radio-free-europe-intends-to-fight_3666894.html
Indeed, Radio Free Asia's board is challenging USAGM's authority to fire its president; language contained in the new defense authorization bill gives agency chief time and power to fire before protections kick in; there is a dispute as to the timing & strength of those powers.
RFE's Ted Lipien was a former VOA official turned sharp critic of USAGM and the networks
Yates, a former Idaho GOP chairman, had registered as a lobbyist for Taiwanese government in early December - and was first contacted one day before taking job.
Yates, a former Idaho GOP chairman, had registered as a lobbyist for Taiwanese government in early December - and was first contacted one day before taking job.
Coates was a former senior adviser to USDoEnergy under Trump. (Her firing first reported by politico.)
Again: Acting USAGM CEO Chao continues sweep of federally funded int'l broadcasters. She moves to fire just appointed presidents & boards of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Radio Free Asia & Middle East Broadcasting Networks named by predecessor, Trump loyalist Michael Pack
