Faith Nyasuguta
U.S. President Donald Trump has signed an order cutting federal funding for Voice of America (VOA) and Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL), two historic broadcasters known for promoting press freedom and countering propaganda worldwide. The move has triggered lawsuits, international concern, and fears over the future of independent journalism.
Voice of America, established during World War II to combat Nazi propaganda, and Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, founded during the Cold War to counter Soviet influence, have long served as vital sources of uncensored news in regions where press freedom is under threat. Today, they reach over 400 million people weekly, offering news in dozens of languages.
Trump’s decision targets these broadcasters’ parent organization, the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM), ordering massive funding cuts and putting nearly all 1,300 VOA employees on leave. Funding for RFE/RL and other sister organizations, like Radio Free Asia and Middle East Broadcasting Networks, was also abruptly halted.
In response, RFE/RL has filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration, USAGM, and its acting CEO, Victor Morales, accusing them of unlawfully blocking funds that Congress had explicitly allocated. The lawsuit argues that providing grants to these outlets is a legal requirement under the International Broadcasting Act and demands urgent action to restore the funding.
Stephen Capus, RFE/RL’s president, warned that this decision plays into the hands of authoritarian regimes that aim to silence independent journalism. “This is not the time to cede terrain to the propaganda and censorship of America’s adversaries,” he stated.
The National Press Club also condemned the cuts, saying they undermine America’s long-standing support for a free press. “If an entire newsroom can be sidelined overnight, what does that say about the state of press freedom?” the organization questioned.
International Alarm and EU Response
The cuts have sparked international concern. European Union ministers have begun debating ways to keep Radio Free Europe afloat after the Trump administration stopped grants to the pro-democracy outlet. RFE/RL’s programs are aired in 27 languages across 23 countries, spanning Eastern Europe, Central Asia, and the Middle East – regions where disinformation and government-controlled media often dominate.
Sweden’s European Affairs Minister, Jessica Rozencrantz, highlighted the importance of protecting the broadcaster. “Sweden encourages all countries and the (European) Commission to really look into what we can do in terms of financing, to make sure that we continue to have a strong Radio Free Europe,” she told reporters in Brussels before the meeting.
Belgium’s Foreign Minister, Maxime Prevot, echoed these concerns, warning that if the network disappears, “disinformation and propaganda will fill the void. That would be a direct win for those who seek to undermine democracy. Europe cannot let that happen.”
The European Commission, the EU’s executive branch, is assessing the impact of the U.S. cuts on media working in Europe and exploring ways to help bridge the financial gap. The EU Trade Commissioner acknowledged the gravity of the situation: “We know how important it is, the access to free and fair information. But Radio Free Europe is not unfortunately the only one of the projects which was cut.”
Kaja Kallas, the EU’s foreign policy chief and a native of Estonia, a former Soviet state, recalled the crucial role RFE/RL played during her country’s time behind the Iron Curtain. “It is sad to hear that the U.S. is withdrawing its funding,” Kallas remarked, noting that for many, the broadcaster had been “a beacon of democracy.” However, she admitted that finding alternative funding wouldn’t be easy, as many organizations were seeking financial support in the wake of U.S. budget cuts.
The Czech Republic, home to RFE/RL’s headquarters since 1995, is leading the push to keep the network alive, with Foreign Minister Jan Lipavsky urging European countries to rally behind the broadcaster.
Press Freedom Under Threat
The Trump administration has accused VOA of being “anti-Trump” and “radical,” claiming that U.S. taxpayers should not be funding what it calls “propaganda.” Kari Lake, a close Trump ally and newly appointed adviser to USAGM, called the agency’s spending “obscenely expensive.”
Billionaire Elon Musk, a key Trump adviser who has been driving sweeping federal budget cuts, also pushed for the shutdown, using his social media platform X to call for the defunding of VOA.
The cuts come as part of a broader push to reduce government spending, affecting not just media outlets but also agencies tackling homelessness, as well as funding for museums and libraries. Critics argue that targeting public media undermines America’s global standing and weakens efforts to fight disinformation.
The sudden defunding threatens hundreds of journalists’ jobs and could silence crucial voices in countries where state-controlled media dominates. Supporters of RFE/RL and VOA argue that these outlets are essential in providing unbiased reporting in places like Russia, China, and Iran, where media freedom is under constant attack.
VOA director Mike Abramowitz warned that the order left his organization unable to carry out its “vital mission… especially critical today, when America’s adversaries are sinking billions of dollars into creating false narratives to discredit the United States.”
A Battle for Survival
VOA and RFE/RL have stood as symbols of press freedom for decades. Gerald Ford enshrined VOA’s editorial independence in 1976, and these organizations have reported fearlessly from war zones, authoritarian regimes, and regions plagued by censorship.
Whether through legal victories or new funding from European allies, the fight to keep these broadcasters alive has become a symbol of the larger struggle for press freedom.
For now, their future hangs in the balance. If funding isn’t restored, millions could lose access to reliable news, and the U.S. risks losing a key tool in the global fight for democracy and truth.
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