Photos: PFW - Why Saving VOA, RFE/RL, RFA and MBN Matters

Alan Kotok

May 01, 2025

Photo Credit: Alan Kotok Press Freedom Center director Bill McCarren welcomes participants and introduces the panel from U.S.-funded news broadcasting stations.

Photo Credit: Alan Kotok Paul Beckett, former assistant editor of the Wall Street Journal and panel moderator gives opening remarks.

Photo Credit: Alan Kotok U.S. government broadcasting panel, L-R: Tamara Bralo, Radio Free Asia; Steve Herman, Voice of America; Paul Beckett, formerly with the Wall Street Journal and panel moderator; Alsu Kurmasheva, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty; and Andres Ilves, Middle East Broadcasting Networks.

Photo Credit: Alan Kotok Steve Herman, chief national correspondent for Voice of America, and NPC board member.

Photo Credit: Alan Kotok Andres Ilves, director of strategic initiatives, Middle East Broadcasting Networks.

Photo Credit: Alan Kotok Tamara Bralo, director of journalist safety at Radio Free Asia.

Photo Credit: Alan Kotok Alsu Kurmasheva, correspondent with Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, and former hostage in Russia.

Paul Beckett, former Assistant Editor at The Wall Street Journal, who led the Journal’s efforts to secure Evan Gershkovich’s release, moderated a May 1, 2025 discussion on the existential threat facing Voice of America, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Radio Free Asia and Middle East Broadcasting Networks. He was joined by journalists from each outlet - Steve Herman of VOA, Andres Ilves of MBN, Alsu Kurmasheva of RFE/RL, and Tamara Bralo of RFA - to examine what’s at stake for global reporting and the journalists risking their lives to deliver the news.