[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 152 (Friday, December 12, 2014)]
[Senate]
[Page S6782]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         VOICE OF AMERICA UKRAINIAN SERVICE'S 65TH ANNIVERSARY

  Mr. McCAIN. Madam President, today I honor Voice of America's 
Ukrainian Service as it celebrates its 65th anniversary this week. VOA 
has distinguished itself among the very best news organizations in the 
world. For over 65 years, from the dark days of Stalin's rule to the 
regime of Vladimir Putin, VOA has served as a beacon of truth for 
Ukrainian citizens. Throughout the Cold War, VOA supported the struggle 
for freedom and gave hope to citizens living under repressive rule in 
Soviet Ukraine. After the collapse of the Soviet Union, VOA was the 
first to pick up the call of independence and take advantage of new 
opportunities to speak freely to the Ukrainian people.
  The organization's long history of comprehensive reporting and 
objective, reliable coverage proved ever more important in November 
2013 when demonstrations broke out against then-President Yanukovych's 
decision not to sign an association agreement with Europe. Through all 
of this, VOA provided live video streaming and multimedia reporting 
from the center of the EuroMaidan demonstrations and was one of the few 
news outlets fully covering Russia's annexation of Crimea. In its 
coverage, the world saw the spirit of the Ukrainian people and stood 
with them in their struggle for democracy, human rights, and the values 
of the transatlantic community. Through its continued coverage today, 
the world is now witness to Russia's aggression and invasion.
  More recently, VOA has been a critical source of information for the 
Ukrainian people as Russia continues to advance its propaganda campaign 
across the region, spreading disinformation and undermining the efforts 
of Ukraine's EuroMaidan reformers. Putin's control of information is a 
key part of his strategy to rebuild post-Soviet Russia through 
aggression, and he uses disinformation as a tool to complement his 
transnational military campaigns and subvert democratic growth and 
development in Ukraine and across Eastern Europe. At a time when 
Putin's propaganda machine is working to deny reality and distort 
perceptions, Ukrainians rely heavily on VOA's credibility and accuracy, 
and its message of freedom, hope and human dignity.
  VOA's reporters have worked under difficult and at times dangerous 
conditions. Previous governments have attempted to manipulate the media 
through repression and intimidation, and journalists were often 
arrested or detained. Today, journalists attempting to report on the 
conflict in eastern Ukraine are being harassed, intimidated, and 
physically attacked, constantly under threat of Russian thuggery. But 
this has not stopped the brave men and women working for VOA Ukrainian 
Service. They have worked through trying times, but have always 
maintained the integrity and professionalism to which all journalists 
can aspire.
  Over the last 65 years, VOA has delivered thoughtful, comprehensive, 
and honest reporting when the Ukrainian people needed it most. I thank 
all members of VOA Ukrainian Service, past and present, for their 
tireless efforts and congratulate the organization on its 65th 
anniversary. Thank you for the work you do in service to the people of 
Ukraine and the shared values we hold dear. Together, and with the 
information you provide, we can achieve the democratic aspirations of 
our people and make the world a better, safer place for all citizens.

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