14 Comments
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LL's avatar

Hi Steve, I just wanted to say thank you for all the great reporting you’ve done over the years. I’ve been saddened to see what’s happening to VOA, but I’ve also been proud of the effort you’ve made to stand up for what’s right and for the First Amendment.

I started following your work during the Fukushima disaster, when you were one of the first reporters on the ground.

You’ve been one of the most reliable and trustworthy voices I’ve followed all these years, my go-to whenever I needed to understand what was going on in the world and in our country. You always seemed to be on top of everything, day and night! Sometimes I even wondered when you slept! But I could always count on checking @W7VOA on XTwitter and getting the facts, not sensationalized opinions like so much of what’s out there.

Even as a quiet follower from a private XTwitter account, I always knew I could rely on your work. Your reporting has meant a lot to me and I’m truly grateful for the clarity and integrity you brought to it. Thank you so very much!

Congratulations on your next chapter at the University of Mississippi. They’re lucky to have someone with your insight and dedication. Wishing you nothing but the best!

Best Regards, LG

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Diane Cheyanne's avatar

Best wishes on your new endeavor. We need journalists like you in the fight for the free press.

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Carol Guensburg's avatar

Steve, congratulations on your new role with the Jordan Center. You'll get it off to a great start. Thanks for all your efforts to #SaveVOA

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FRANK L. MILLER's avatar

Swing and a miss! If they thought they’d silence your voice by shutting off your mic,they underestimated the power of moving out and moving on. Congratulations on your new platform. Let me know if there’s anything I can do to help.

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Jonathan Schrag's avatar

As an early cynic of VOA (young anger at our propping up regimes in the Western Hemisphere) following your reporting since substack/Mastodon has helped me modify the opinion of my youth: seeing VOA as perhaps the last of the pre-cable (presenting news as balanced as possible) news services. You've done a great service to me - helping me become a better (informed) citizen. Thank you!

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LaVonne Ellis's avatar

Excited for you, congrats!

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Corq's avatar

Steve, we've talked in the past about your post-career plans, but I have to say this opportunity seems truly wonderful, given your journalistic philosophy for fairness and transparency.

This seems like a really great fit for you. Congratulations!

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TS Elliott's avatar

Thank you! Please call for an American general strike!! 🪧

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Mollie King's avatar

Sorry for everything you've been going through - it's heartbreaking for those of us who dedicated our entire careers to VOA and international media. I'm glad you have a new opportunity to advocate for journalism and innovation, though. It sounds like it will be very rewarding work. Best wishes!

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Patrick's avatar

Amazing! Please let me know how I can help!

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Tony Winton's avatar

It’s a loss for listeners, but you’ll excel at this Steve. Best wishes…and roll ahead!

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Nirmal Ghosh's avatar

Indeed, what Callie said. Good luck, Steve!

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Seth G's avatar

Thank you for your dedication over all these years!

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Callie's avatar

The title of the organization you’re going to be heading up sounds like it has some real potential for saving the independence of journalism in the United States at this particular critical juncture

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