Trump administration freezes US-funded media operations

Sunday 16 March 2025 - 14:10

By: Zahouani Ilham

Trump administration freezes US-funded media operations

The Trump administration took a drastic step on Saturday by putting journalists at Voice of America (VOA) and other U.S.-funded media outlets on leave, halting operations that have been vital in countering Russian and Chinese information campaigns for decades. Employees at VOA, Radio Free Asia, and Radio Free Europe were informed through an email that they would be restricted from entering their offices and must return their press passes and other company-issued equipment.

This action followed an executive order issued by President Donald Trump on Friday, which included the U.S. Agency for Global Media as part of a list of "unnecessary" elements in the federal bureaucracy. Kari Lake, a vocal Trump supporter appointed to oversee the media agency after her Senate loss, declared that federal grant money would no longer align with the agency’s priorities.

The White House justified the cuts by claiming they would prevent taxpayer money from funding “radical propaganda,” signaling a major shift in policy regarding U.S. international media outlets that had been crucial for promoting U.S. values abroad. The change was underscored by a tweet from White House press official Harrison Fields, who posted "goodbye" in 20 languages, referencing the multilingual coverage of these networks.

Michael Abramowitz, the director of VOA, confirmed he was among the 1,300 employees placed on leave. He expressed concern that the actions would undermine VOA’s ability to fulfill its mission, especially since it serves 360 million people weekly through broadcasts in 48 languages. Meanwhile, Stephen Capus, president of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, called the decision a major victory for U.S. adversaries, noting that it would be celebrated by leaders in Iran, China, Russia, and Belarus.

U.S.-funded media outlets, which have shifted their focus in recent years from post-Cold War programming to reporting on Russia and China, have become increasingly significant as state-sponsored media, particularly from China, expand globally. Radio Free Asia, created in 1996, has played a key role in providing uncensored news in countries with limited press freedom.

Despite government funding, these media outlets have maintained editorial independence, which has frustrated some members of the Trump administration. The decision to defund them is expected to face challenges, as Congress holds the power over federal spending and past support for outlets like Radio Free Asia has been bipartisan.

This move has sparked backlash from advocacy groups such as Reporters Without Borders, which argued that it threatens global press freedom and undermines decades of U.S. support for the free flow of information. Democratic leaders, including Gregory Meeks and Lois Frankel, warned that the decision would inflict long-lasting harm on U.S. efforts to combat global propaganda.

Employees at VOA and Radio Free Asia have expressed fears about their safety and livelihoods. One VOA worker described the decision as yet another example of chaotic and unorganized policymaking, while a Radio Free Asia staffer voiced concerns about the safety of reporters in authoritarian regimes and the potential risk of deportation for those working in the U.S.

The abrupt end to these vital media services has been widely criticized as a grave mistake.