RFE/RL leadership transition announced

via email from USAGM Public Affairs publicaffairs@bbg.gov

uncaptioned image from email

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- John F. Lansing, CEO of the United States Agency for Global Media (USAGM), and Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty's (RFE/RL) Board of Directors, today announced the appointment of Daisy Sindelar as Vice President and Acting President of RFE/RL, effective December 7, 2018. Ms. Sindelar will work closely with Vice President and Editor-in-Chief Nenad Pejic and Chief of Staff Christine Fetzko to ensure consistent operations and a smooth transition.

"Daisy has the full support of RFE/RL's Board and myself. She has shown remarkable dedication and leadership, and I have every confidence that she will maintain the current momentum and continue to deliver on the network's priorities," said Lansing. "I am also grateful for Nenad, who will remain our excellent Editor-in-Chief, and Christine's outstanding leadership and commitment to RFE/RL. Their ongoing support, especially during this transition, will be invaluable."

Ms. Sindelar, who joined RFE/RL in 2001, has extensive knowledge of RFE/RL's programming and operations. She is the Director of Current Time, a 24/7 Russian-language global network led by RFE/RL in cooperation with Voice of America, and played an integral part in launching and growing this flagship project. Ms Sindelar speaks Russian and worked as a reporter and editor in Russia prior to joining RFE/RL.

"It's a privilege to assume the role of Acting RFE/RL President at a time when our journalism is more vital than ever to audiences across the former Soviet space, Eastern Europe, the Balkans, Iran, Pakistan, and Afghanistan," said Sindelar. "I look forward to working with CEO Lansing and my colleagues at RFE/RL to ensure that we continue our strong tradition of delivering objective, impactful news and information to the people who need it most."

RFE/RL's Board, working closely with the USAGM CEO, continues the search for a new President of RFE/RL.

The United States Agency for Global Media (USAGM) is an independent federal agency, supervising all U.S. government-supported, civilian international media, whose mission is to inform, engage and connect people around the world in support of freedom and democracy. USAGM networks include the Voice of America, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Office of Cuba Broadcasting (Radio and TV Marti), Radio Free Asia, and the Middle East Broadcasting Networks (Alhurra TV and Radio Sawa). USAGM programming has a measured audience of 345 million in more than 100 countries and in 59 languages.