RFE/RL appoints Jamie Fly as new president

  Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty’s (RFE/RL) Board of Directors has named Jamie Fly as the company’s President and CEO, effective August 1, 2019, as Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty informed. “Jamie is an extraordinary choice to lead RFE/RL at this critical juncture,” said RFE/RL and United States Agency for Global Media (USAGM) Board Chairman Ken Weinstein. “RFE/RL’s mission of providing objective news to audiences needing fact-based information and analysis is more vital than ever. Jamie’s understanding of geopolitics, passion for human rights and broad contacts in Washington and around the globe make him ideally suited to lead the network in delivering top-rate content across all platforms to audiences in Eastern Europe, Eurasia, Central Asia, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Iran.” Mr. Fly is a recognized foreign policy thought leader and proven manager, currently serving as a Senior Fellow at the German Marshall Fund of the United States. In addition, he is Director of the organization’s Future of Geopolitics and Asia programs and Co-Director of its trans-Atlantic Alliance for Securing Democracy. Fly has previously worked as a senior staffer in the U.S. Congress, the National Security Council, and the U.S. Department of Defense. “I am honored by this opportunity to lead RFE/RL,” Fly said. “RFE/RL staff are on the front lines bringing independent news and information to those who need it most. I look forward to being their advocate and supporter in this essential mission.” The Board also announces that Vice President Daisy Sindelar, who has served as RFE/RL Acting President since December 2018, will transition to the Editor in Chief position, also effective August 1. She replaces the current Editor in Chief, Nenad Pejic. Since joining RFE/RL in 2001, Ms. Sindelar has held several management positions, including Regional Director and Director of Current Time, a 24/7 Russian-language global digital and TV network led by RFE/RL in cooperation with Voice of America. Sindelar speaks Russian and worked as a reporter and editor in Russia prior to joining RFE/RL. In addressing these leadership changes, USAGM CEO John F. Lansing expressed his enthusiasm for RFE/RL’s role in international media and praised the vision and dedication of Sindelar and Pejic. “I am very proud of the progress and impact of RFE/RL over these last four years that I have been at USAGM. Now more than ever, we need media outlets like RFE/RL to continue critical global reporting.” Lansing continued, “The Board and I are grateful to Daisy for stepping in as Acting President over the last seven months. I have been impressed with her hands-on leadership and I am pleased that she will work with Jamie to continue the momentum. I am confident that Jamie and Daisy will expertly lead RFE/RL through its next chapter of innovation and impact.” Mr. Pejic has served as Editor in Chief since December 2013. He also served as Acting President of RFE/RL from October 1 to December 6, 2018 and Interim Manager of RFE/RL from March 2014 to June 2016. He joined the network in 1993 as the first director of its Balkan Service. Prior to joining RFE/RL, Pejic held various positions with Sarajevo Television, including head of the News Department, Belgrade correspondent, and Program Director. About RFE/RLRFE/RL relies on its networks of local reporters to provide accurate news and information to 34 million people in 26 languages and 22 countries where media freedom is restricted, or where a professional press has not fully developed. Its videos were viewed over 2.6 billion times on Facebook and YouTube in FY2018. RFE/RL is an editorially independent media company funded by a grant from the U.S. Congress through the U.S. Agency for Global Media.​ Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty