Tom Kent
President and CEO
Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty
Tom Kent is president of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, one of five U.S.-funded broadcasters under the Broadcasting Board of Governors, whose mission is to support democracy and free speech around the world, broadcasting in 26 languages to 23 countries where the media faces government restrictions. Previously, Kent worked for the Associated Press for four decades, serving as Moscow bureau chief, international editor, deputy managing editor, and standards editor. He was raised in Shaker Heights, Ohio, holds a degree in Russian and East European Studies from Yale University and speaks Russian, French and Spanish. He has taught and advised at Columbia University’s School of Journalism since 1996, and at the Harriman Institute of Columbia’s School of International and Public Affairs since 2001.