Press Freedoms in the Former Soviet Republics

The guest held a discussion on press freedoms in the former Soviet states with students from Tajikistan, Georgia, Turkmenistan, Armenia, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Azerbaijan, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Russia participating in Close Up Foundation’s week-long government studies program. Topics included the ways in which democratic revolutions have helped to elevate press freedoms and media reforms; comparisons of press freedoms in the U.S. to those in the former Soviet states; tactics employed by governments to diminish press freedoms or threaten independent news organizations and journalists; the First Amendment protection for journalists in the U.S.; and why a government would want to restrict rights outlined in the First Amendment. Mr. Smyth responded to the students' questions throughout the program.

The program was held in the McGowan Theater of the National Archives. close