Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty

After more than nine months in prison, American Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty journalist Alsu Kurmasheva has been released as part of a large-scale prisoner exchange between the United States and Russia. "We welcome news of Alsu’s imminent release and are grateful to the American government and all who worked tirelessly to end her unjust treatment by Russia," said RFE/RL President & CEO Steve Capus. Our statement: https://lnkd.in/eF9e2sWC

"I also think about those who are still in prison." Last Friday, Voice of America’s film “The Empty Chair” documenting the campaign to #FreeAlsu was screened at the Press Play Prague film festival. Following the screening, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty's Alsu Kurmasheva joined a discussion with VOA’s Liam Scott and Jessica Jerreat about threats to journalists worldwide.

This week, Chair of the United States Senate Foreign Relations Committee Senator Ben Cardin sent a letter urging Secretary of State Antony Blinken to secure the release of political prisoners in Belarus, including Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty's own Andrey Kuznechyk and Ihar Losik, who remain wrongfully imprisoned by Lukashenka's regime. They must be released. #FreeAndrey #FreeIhar https://lnkd.in/ed-NQwZj

Don’t miss this week's 10 must-reads and watches from Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty's global team of correspondents, multimedia editors, and visual journalists. They covered the plight of Afghans being deported from Iran, an alarming increase of cases of femicide in Kyrgyzstan, the upcoming Georgian election, how puppet shows are boosting the morale of Ukrainian soldiers, and more. https://lnkd.in/ebyk32pS

We are deeply saddened by reports that Ukrainian journalist and former Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty contributor Viktoria Roshchyna has died in Russian detention. “We must honor her legacy by holding her captors accountable,” said RFE/RL President & CEO Steve Capus. Viktoria’s death is the latest reminder of the high price journalists pay for reporting the truth about Russia’s war on Ukraine. Read the full report from RFE/RL’s Ukrainian Service: https://lnkd.in/eJ2jVZYc

This week, recently freed Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty journalist Alsu Kurmasheva is at PressPlayPrague, an international film festival that aims to expose the challenges faced by, and the impact of, journalism through film. Alsu will speak about her ordeal in Russian prison and threats to journalists worldwide following a screening of Voice of America's short film “The Empty Chair,” which documents the advocacy campaign that secured Alsu's release from Russian prison in August 2024.

"I’ve been doing journalism for more than 20 years. It was always dangerous — we at Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty deliver news to the countries where people are stuck with state propaganda and they don’t have access to independent news.” Recently freed RFE/RL journalist Alsu Kurmasheva on Emily Gross’ Beerocracy! podcast: https://lnkd.in/escKKkmc

In today's digital era, where influencers and content creators often outperform traditional journalism on platforms like TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram, understanding the intersection between authenticity and algorithmic changes is essential. Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty’s Alina Živanović is at b° future festival #BFF24 to speak about the pivotal role of authenticity and reliability in social media journalism and demonstrate how RFE/RL is using unique language, formats, and engagement techniques to reach young audiences. https://lnkd.in/eePbvDkR

This week, recently freed Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty journalist Alsu Kurmasheva and RFE/RL President and CEO Steve Capus were at the OSCE Warsaw Human Dimension Conference to advocate for the release of RFE/RL’s journalists imprisoned in Russia-occupied Crimea and Belarus. “All that political prisoners need is hope.” At a side event on political prisoners in Russia, Alsu spoke about the importance of governmental and civil society action to free those being unjustly held. #WarsawHDC

Don’t miss this week's 10 must-reads from Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty’s global team of correspondents, multimedia editors, and visual journalists. They covered President Zelenskiy’s former comedy troupe, the future of U.S.-Russian arms control, the plight of zoo animals in eastern Ukraine, and more. https://lnkd.in/d5Eb-3YK