U.S. Rep. Brad Sherman, D-Sherman Oaks, the second Ranking Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, issued the following statement Monday:
“Kim Jong-un has used vandalism and threats of violence to suppress speech in the United States. The North Korean government has prevented millions of Americans from seeing a particular movie, at least during December. Importantly, these threats are now causing movie and television producers to delay or abandon “sensitive” projects.
“It is time to give North Korea a double dose of free speech. Currently Radio Free Asia and Voice of America reach North Koreans eleven hours each night, at a cost to American taxpayers of $8 million annually (or roughly one tenth of what it cost Sony to make and advertise ‘The Interview’). We should ramp this up to $16 million.
“Dictators like Kim Jong-un fear nothing as much as the truth and it is time to bring a maximum supply of truth both to the North Korean people, and to the elites which form the core of the regime’s support.
“We also maintain websites aimed at North Korea, but we do not provide television broadcasts. Our web efforts should be aimed at undermining Kim Jong-un among these elites, who have internet access.
“The BBG Report on North Korea (issued December 8, 2014) shows that our current eleven hour per day stream of broadcasting to North Koreans falls a bit short of our own 12 hour per day goal. Though nighttime hours are more effective than daylight hours, we should be broadcasting 24 hours a day into North Korea. (The BBG, Broadcasting Board of Governors, is the US government agency which oversees the Voice of America and Radio Free Asia.)
“The Report also indicates that for medium wave (AM) we are dependent on leased transmission sites (usually leased from South Korean radio broadcasters). The Broadcasting Board of Governors is seeking to construct its own medium wave transmitter in South Korea at a location optimally suited to reach the North Korean people. This effort should be funded and expedited.
“We should explore using satellite television broadcasting. If television broadcasting into North Korea is practical, then later next year we should broadcast ‘The Interview’ dubbed in Korean.”
Rep. Brad Sherman represents portions of the San Fernando Valley and a tiny sliver of the Santa Clarita Valley southeast of Newhall.
ALSO:
Congressman Sherman Letter to Sony Pictures Entertainment
December 22, 2014
Mr. Michael Lynton
CEO
Sony Pictures Entertainment
10202 West Washington Boulevard
Culver City, CA 90232
Re: Invitation to screen The Interview at the U.S. Capitol
Dear Mr. Lynton
I am extending an offer to screen The Interview in the U.S. Capitol facilities.
As Chairman of the Entertainment Industries Caucus, I believe we should stand in solidarity with Sony Pictures and the American film industry. Threats from a dictator in North Korea should not stop Americans from seeing any movie. We have a responsibility to stand up against these attempts at intimidation.
This is also about educating Members of Congress. Everyone is talking about The Interview. I think it’s important for Congress to know, and see, what we are talking about.
Screening The Interview will demonstrate the U.S. Congress’s support of the freedom of speech. This is about our right to live without fear, and knowing that our values will not be compromised by the idle threats of a despotic regime. Good or bad, Americans should not be deprived of the opportunity to see this movie.
It is now the responsibility of the U.S. government to allocate the necessary resources to ensure moviegoers’ safety. We must help Sony Pictures, movie theater owners, and moviegoers regain the confidence to go see The Interview.
If you have any questions please contact Lauren Wolman at lauren.wolman@mail.house.gov or (202) 225-5911.
Sincerely,
Brad Sherman
Member of Congress
CC:
The Honorable Chris Dodd
Chairman
MPAA
Mr. Keith Weaver
Worldwide Government Affairs
Sony Pictures Entertainment
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1 Comment
The media is reporting this morning that SONY is now deciding on releasing the movie in time for Christmas since there is such a huge request to see the movie.