Governors Honored for Supporting Freedom of Speech
WASHINGTON DC- BBG Board members Victor Ashe, Susan McCue and Michael Meehan have been named “Champions for Freedom of Speech” by the New York chapter of the Visual Artists Guild, a nonprofit organization that supports freedom of expression worldwide. The Governors, along with human rights activists Chen Guangcheng and filmmaker Dhondup Wangchen and his wife, will be honored at the guild’s annual awards dinner on June 1 in New York City.
“On behalf of our journalists who put themselves in harm’s way in closed societies around the world to advance the mission of U.S. international broadcasting, I am deeply honored to receive this award,” said Michael Meehan. “Media freedom is under greater challenges today than 20 years ago, and we need to redouble our efforts to engage, inform and connect those who do not live with a free media and open society.”
“Bringing objective news is needed now more than ever. We have critical work do to this year, and I hope the Board soon can rely on having a working quorum so we can act more promptly,” said Victor Ashe.
“I am proud to be recognized for supporting free speech and democracy, values I hold dear,” said Susan McCue. “At the BBG, my true inspiration comes from our journalists on the front lines of freedom who often put themselves at risk to report uncensored news to our audiences in some of the most violent corners of the Earth.”
Previous honorees include journalist Todd Carrel, human rights activists Harry Wu and peace activists Mia and Ronan Farrow, and organizations including Reporters Without Borders, Amnesty International and the Committee to Protect Journalists.
The Visual Artists Guild was established in 1985 and works to support freedom of speech and expression worldwide. The New York Chapter was established by former board member of the guild, Ann Noonan, in 2008.