WASHINGTON – On Thursday, the International Broadcasting Advisory Board (IBAB) hosted its first public event, entitled Advancing Freedom of Information: Strategies and Solutions for Addressing the PRC’s Malign Influence. In case you missed it, a recording of the virtual program above.

The IBAB was joined by top experts and broadcast news leaders for a lively discussion about malign influence, disinformation, and propaganda seeded by the People’s Republic of China (PRC), as well as strategies, methods, and tools needed to overcome digital censorship and advance the free flow of information, both within China and in media environments heavily targeted by the PRC.

“This conversation could not be more urgent,” said IBAB Chair Kenneth Jarin during the event. “As the PRC and other authoritarian adversaries heavily invest in controlling the flow of information inside their own countries and expanding malign influence abroad, USAGM and its entities are employing solutions to overcome digital censorship inside China and promote fact-based news and information globally. Their journalists and staff make considerable sacrifices on the frontlines of freedom, and it is the IBAB’s privilege to support them.”

IBAB Chair Kenneth Jarin gave introductory remarks and the event was moderated by IBAB member Kathleen Matthews, with presentations by expert guest speakers, including:

·       Audrey Tang, Cyber Ambassador-at-Large of Taiwan

·       Sarah Cook, Independent researcher and author of the UnderReported China newsletter

·       Xin Chen, Acting Director, China Division, Voice of America

·       Stephen Capus, President & CEO, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty

·       Sylvia Rosabal, Director, Office of Cuba Broadcasting

·       Bay Fang, President & CEO, Radio Free Asia

·       Jeffrey Gedmin, Acting President & CEO, Middle East Broadcasting Networks

·       Nat Kretchun, Senior Vice President for Programs, Open Technology Fund