Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) and Voice of America (VoA) were informed on Saturday by the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM) that their federal grant agreements, which fund their global operations, have been terminated.
The move follows a broader decision by the administration of US President Donald Trump to cut funding for government-backed broadcasters that provide independent news to audiences in undemocratic states, including Voice of America (VoA) and other USAGM affiliates.
Broad Funding Cuts Announced
On 15 March, the Trump administration officially announced the defunding of VOA and RFE/RL, citing concerns over journalistic impartiality.
The White House accused VOA of bias, referencing past coverage decisions, including its reporting on the Hunter Biden laptop controversy and internal directives related to political language concerning Hamas organisation. The administration also criticised the network’s reporting on transgender migrants and other issues as evidence of partiality.
Following the announcement, VOA employees were placed on administrative leave and denied access to work emails. Reports suggest that a large portion of the organisation’s 1,300 employees have been affected by the decision.
Trump’s Broader Government Downsizing Order
The funding cuts align with a wider effort by the Trump administration to reduce government expenditures. Shortly after Congress passed the latest federal funding bill, Trump directed multiple agencies to be scaled back to their minimum legal functions. The USAGM, which oversees RFE/RL, Radio Free Asia, and Radio Marti, was among the agencies targeted.
Kari Lake, a former Arizona gubernatorial candidate and a newly appointed senior adviser to USAGM, defended the move on social media, describing the agency as “the most corrupt in Washington DC.”
Read this list.
It’s just a fraction of what I’ve found at US Agency for Global Media. There’s a reason it’s referred to as “pound-for-pound the most corrupt agency in Washington DC.” Because it is!Through an Executive Order President @realDonaldTrump ordered the agency and… pic.twitter.com/zsXx48qCU8
— Kari Lake (@KariLake) March 16, 2025
She announced plans to cut costs, downsize staffing, and terminate unnecessary contracts, including the agency’s lease on its headquarters.
In a video statement, Lake emphasised the need to reduce government waste but did not comment on the impact on VOA’s staff or programming.
Employees were instructed to return government-issued equipment and were informed they would continue receiving pay and benefits “until notified otherwise.”
Backlash from Media and Human Rights Organisations
The decision to defund VOA and RFE/RL has triggered widespread condemnation from press freedom advocates. RFE/RL President and CEO Stephen Capus described the termination of funding as “a massive gift to America’s enemies.” He warned that authoritarian regimes would welcome the decision, saying,
“The Iranian Ayatollahs, Chinese communist leaders, and autocrats in Moscow and Minsk would celebrate the demise of RFE/RL after 75 years. Handing our adversaries a win would make them stronger and America weaker.”
Capus also emphasised the organisation’s bipartisan support throughout its history, highlighting that RFE/RL reaches nearly 50 million people in closed societies each week.
“Without us, those who depend on us for accurate news and information won’t have access to the truth about America and the world,” he wrote.
Michael Abramowitz, director of VOA, echoed these concerns, calling the move “a gift for America’s enemies.” He noted that for the first time in 83 years, VOA has gone silent, depriving millions of access to independent reporting.
Reporters Without Borders condemned the decision as “a departure from the historic role of the United States as a defender of free information” and urged Congress and the international community to take action.
Impact on US Global Influence
Since their creation during the Cold War, US-funded broadcasters like VOA and RFE/RL have played a vital role in countering authoritarian narratives and promoting democratic values. Their closure represents a significant shift in US international media strategy.
Thomas Kent, former president of RFE/RL, warned of the broader implications of the move. “Without international broadcasting, the image of the United States will be shaped by others, including adversaries who seek to undermine America’s role in the world,” he said.
The decision to terminate funding for VoA and RFE/RL is part of a broader downsizing effort that includes cuts to agencies such as the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, the US Interagency Council on Homelessness, and the Community Development Financial Institutions Fund.
Image source: Voice of America
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