"The fifty minute program will focus on what it will take to improve Russia’s image in the United States. Make sure to tune in and listen to the program!"

It will only improve by listening to the "real" voices.

Hobnobbing with those responsible for the misinformation and dropping those representing progress is not going to improve matters for Russia.

Congratulations on the radio debut.

Make sure to plug those positive difference makers.

Like the fellow who wrote some of Russia Blog
s best commentary.

Michael Averko should be in a prime role.

The high profile discussions about the inept English language coverage of Russia and how to best overcome it continues to lack in effectiveness. To succeed in fostering a progressive change, one must know the existing fault lines and be able to effectively counteract them.

A recent example of anti-Russian caricaturing can be found at this link:

http://www.russiablog.org/2007/03/cobblers_by_day_cabalists_by_n.php#comments

Excerpt:

"I am not Russian (thank Allah). My father’s side of the family is Ukrainian. Ukrainians are like Russians, only with better food and they also tend to die a lot more quickly--often because of Russians."

***

In other instances, Russia Blog has chosen to intervene against comments deemed as inappropriate. It didn't happen in this instance.

By itself, the first part of the above quoted can be taken as shtick. However, the sentence in its totality reflects the kind of misguided bigotry that has been directed against Russians in the US. A point that many Russians in Russia can't fully grasp in lieu of their not being so familiar with the American scene.

This is what no doubt prompted Edward Lozansky to say (at a Russia Profile panel discussion) that Russian-Americans should be playing a more primary role. This isn't happening and along with some others, I don't see Lozansky doing much to successfully encourage this.

Instead, the "Russia friendly" market (if you may) is comprised of people not so well versed on the issues, with seeming hirings related to nepotism, cronyism, people in it just for a quick buck and neo-Stalinist types, who see a quality like Russia friendly voice as a threat to their share of that view drawing a nice salary.

Right on Bro!

Some influential people keep second guessing my popularity, in addition to underrepresenting what I bring to the table.

That's why the situation continues to suck.

Way to go. Also you should think about Voice of Russia.

Was there a transcript of this
program in English anywhere?

This is true.