[ceejayoz]

That would depend entirely on the specific details, including that 99% funding number. If you wanna allege specifics about NPR beyond "they once hired someone who used to work for the government", go for it.

[trasz3]

So here's where we disagree: to me, any institution led by Medvedev won't be independent; funding formalities don't matter at all.

Also, once again: there's a fundamental difference between "used to work" and "was a CEO".

[ceejayoz]

I'd be very skeptical of Medvedev, yes. The burden of proof for his independence would be... high.

Do I think Lansing is anything comparable? No.