NAB Urges U-S Stations Drop Russian-Sponsored Programs

The National Association of Broadcasters has issued a statement calling on U-S broadcasters to stop carrying Russian-sponsored programming that is affiliated with the Russian government “or its agents.”

“The National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) is a fierce defender of the First Amendment and the critical importance of the ability to freely express views, both popular and unpopular. While the First Amendment protects freedom of speech, however, it does not prevent private actors from exercising sound, moral judgment,” the association said in a statement.

“To that end, given the unprovoked aggression exhibited by Russia against the free and sovereign people of Ukraine, NAB calls on broadcasters to cease carrying any state-sponsored programming with ties to the Russian government or its agents,” the NAB continued. “While we know that airings of such programs are extremely limited, we believe that our nation must stand fully united against misinformation and for freedom and democracy across the globe.”

The Hill reports the development comes close to one week after Russia began its invasion of Ukraine, which has prompted governments, businesses and others to stop doing business with the country.

According to InsideRadio, two radio stations – Multicultural Radio Broadcasting’s WZHF Washington (1390) and Alpine Broadcasting’s talk/religion KCXL Kansas City (1140) – both air Radio Sputnik programming under lease agreements with the Russian-government backed Rossiya Segodnya. The move has attracted a lot of attention in the past, especially in the wake of election interference from Moscow. But as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine brings increasingly dire headlines, the station’ decision to air Radio Sputnik is drawing criticism from within the radio industry itself.