Briefing: Press Freedom in the Former Soviet Union

Tuesday, May 3, 2005 (4:00PM - 5:30PM)

Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty invites you to a briefing by

Diana Howansky Staff Associate, Ukrainian Studies Program Columbia University
Julie Corwin, Regional Analysis Coordinator for Russia, RFE/RL, Inc.
Daniel Kimmage, Regional Analyst for Central Asia, RFE/RL, Inc.
Christopher Walker, Director of Studies, Freedom House

Press freedom is under severe duress in virtually all of the countries of the former Soviet Union. Independent media confront enormous challenges in providing citizens with the independent information that can help advance democratic reform. Broadcast media, in particular, comes under greatest pressure and control. Although some signs of promise have been observed in the wake of events in Ukraine, Georgia, and Kyrgyzstan, the region's highly repressive states continue to tighten their control over the media. To mark World Press Freedom Day, briefing panelists will provide an overview of media developments in countries of the FSU and offer insights into the implications of levels of press freedom and future democratization, using findings from Freedom House's annual survey of press freedom as a frame of reference.

Diana Howansky is staff associate at Columbia Univeristy's Ukrainian Studies Program. Julie Corwin leads RFE/RL's team of Russia analysts, and is the editor of "RFE/RL Media Matters" and "(Un)Civil Societies." Daniel Kimmage is the editor of "RFE/RL Central Asia Report." Christopher Walker is Director of Studies at Freedom House.

Conference Room A (4th Floor)
Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty
1201 Connecticut Ave NW
Washington, DC 20036
[entrance on Rhode Island Ave NW, next to St. Matthew's Cathedral]

Please RSVP by May 2 by email to <dc-response@rferl.org>, by telephone to Melody Jones at (202) 457-6949, or by fax to (202) 457-6992.