Rohrabacher Concerned about Censorship in Tibetan Service of Radio Free Asia

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

November 16, 2012
Contact: Tara Setmayer
202-225-2415

Washington, D.C. – Congressman Dana Rohrabacher (CA-46) wrote to Radio Free Asia President Libby Liu yesterday inquiring about the abrupt dismissal of long time Tibet Service Director, Jigme Ngapo. Congressman Rohrabacher wrote, “I have reason to believe that he was terminated for political reasons.” Last month almost every staff member of the Tibet Service signed a letter of support of Ngapo and urged that he remain on as Director. He is well known in the Tibetan community for encouraging and permitting divergent points of view to be aired on RFA about Tibet’s future.

Jamyang Norbu, one of the most prominent intellectual voices outside of occupied-Tibet, a supporter of free speech, democracy, and independence for Tibet recently had his contract terminated by RFA.

Lobsang Sangay, the Prime Minister of the Tibetan Government in Exile and his predecessor Samdong Rinpoche have in the past expressed their opposition of the leadership of the Tibetan Service at RFA. Both have met with President Libby Liu.

73 Tibetans have self-immolated since March 2011, Rep. Rohrabacher said, “It could not be clearer; the people of Tibet are dying for freedom and independence. RFA needs to continue to be the source for accurate information. Any suggestion of political censorship within RFA must be fully investigated.”

Rep. Rohrabacher is Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations.