Bottom Line: Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty fights to free detained editor

Taylor Giorno
·2 min read

Media

Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty hired Covington & Burling to advocate for the release of Alsu Kurmasheva, an editor for the media organization detained in Russia. Kurmasheva, a dual U.S.-Russian citizen, was arrested in October while visiting family in Russia and charged with failing to register as a foreign agent. She was one of two American journalists detained by Russia in 2023. In March, Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich was arrested during a reporting trip and detained on espionage charges.

One of the lobbyists on the account is Stephen Rademaker, a former assistant secretary of State who worked on a range of national security issues in the George H.W. Bush administration, at the State Department and on Capitol Hill.

The Mexican-American media company ​TelevisaUnivision hired Fierce Government Relations to lobby on “general business issues.” Aleix Jarvis, former legislative director to Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), will work on the account.

Foreign affairs

​UNICEF USA hired MWMurray Consulting to lobby for UNICEF funding for health, nutrition, vaccine and protection programs in the State, Foreign Operations and Related Programs appropriations bill. Mark Murray, former staffer on the House and Senate Appropriations committees, will work on the account.

Technology

Intel hired Holland & Knight to lobby on issues related to CHIPS and Science Act implementation, federal incentives for semiconductor manufacturing and the American Innovation and Jobs Act. Yasmin Nelson, former senior policy adviser to then-Sen. Kamala Harris (D-Calif.), will work on the account.

Campaign finance

American Promise hired Chartwell Strategy Group to lobby on issues related to elections and campaign finance. The nonprofit organization advocates for a 28th amendment to the U.S. Constitution, the For Our Freedom Amendment, which would give Congress and states more power to regulate and limit political contributions and spending. Janet Nice, former legislative assistant to Rep. Darin LaHood (R-Ill.) and staff assistant to former Sen. Pat Toomey (R-Pa.), will work on the account.

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