Seoul: The nominee to lead the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM) cited North Korean defectors in emphasizing the significance of free information in closed societies, pledging to lead "truth-telling" initiatives if confirmed.

According to Yonhap News Agency, Sarah Rogers, who is currently the under secretary of state for public diplomacy, shared these insights during her confirmation hearing before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. During the hearing, she discussed her interactions with North Korean defectors during a visit to South Korea in April. Rogers highlighted that these defectors first encountered the concept of freedom through snippets of American radio broadcasts, which inspired them to risk everything to escape.

Rogers noted the pivotal role that Voice of America (VOA) and other USAGM grantees play in disseminating information that can shape foreign perceptions of America. If confirmed, Rogers will oversee USAGM, which manages VOA and other government broadcasters and funds entities like Radio Free Asia.

In her current position, Rogers manages a vast workforce and a significant budget dedicated to advancing American foreign policy and countering misinformation spread by countries like North Korea, China, Russia, Iran, and Cuba. She has expressed her intent to maintain her current role alongside her potential new responsibilities at USAGM.

During the hearing, Rogers reiterated that the core mission of USAGM revolves around "truth-telling." She shared her experiences from traveling extensively and witnessing the impact of free information in restrictive societies. Citing her meeting with North Korean defectors, she reinforced the idea that truthful information can empower individuals and promote American values globally.

Rogers further emphasized that delivering truthful information was instrumental in overcoming Soviet communism during the Cold War, and in the current global information landscape, truth remains a powerful tool for the United States.