January 23, 2009

President Obama and the Power of Independent Media

Key Role of Local Media Highlighted at Internews Post-Inauguration Celebration

"The issues of independent media and local indigenous reporting, the issues of the Internet and information access have come to the fore... Internews was way early but they have converged now in the Obama presidency... We’re coming to a time when people have a real respect for the power of information to change lives ... when the seeds of media are planted and the habits of democracy take root."

− Tara Sonenshine, Vice-President for Policy and Outreach at the US Institute for Peace and member of the core foreign policy team that advised the Obama campaign, speaking at a post-inaugural celebration at Internews’ Washington, DC office last Wednesday.

Congratulations to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton

Congratulations to United Nations Ambassador Susan Rice

Internews congratulates Susan Rice on her confirmation as US Ambassador to the United Nations. Rice, who previously served in the Clinton administration and was a key foreign policy advisor for the Obama campaign, is a former board member of Internews. "We are thrilled with President Obama’s choice of Susan Rice for this important position," said Internews President David Hoffman. "At a time when the United Nations will play an increasingly important role, Susan’s combination of determination and openness, her ability to analyze complex situations and her natural charisma and intelligence will serve the world well."

Internews Sends Policy Memo to Obama Administration on Independent Media

Internews has sent a policy memo to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton recommending that the Obama administration significantly strengthen US government support for local, independent media around the world and ensure access to digital communications technologies as a centerpiece of foreign assistance modernization. The memo is signed by 19 leaders in international affairs, including General Anthony Zinni (ret.), Corporation for Public Broadcasting Board Chair Chris Boskin, UN Foundation COO Kathy Bushkin Calvin, Ambassaor John Shattuck, and former Congressman Jim Leach. (Full memo)

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