Title: U.S. Government-Funded Media Face Shutdown Amidst Legal and Political Turmoil

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March 17, 2025

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March 17, 2025 – USA –

In March 2025, President Donald Trump issued an executive order directing the elimination of the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM), which oversees key international broadcasters such as Voice of America (VOA), Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL), Radio Free Asia (RFA), and others. This move has led to widespread concern among journalists and media advocates about the future of independent journalism and U.S. soft power globally.

The shutdown order resulted in the suspension of operations at these outlets, placing journalists, including those on work visas from repressive regimes, at risk of deportation and potential persecution. For instance, reporters from Cambodia employed by RFA face the possibility of returning to countries where they could be arrested or worse. Legal challenges have been mounted, with a federal judge temporarily halting the implementation of the shutdown, allowing RFE/RL to continue operations for the time being.

Critics argue that dismantling these media organizations undermines U.S. credibility and emboldens authoritarian regimes. They emphasize the importance of these outlets in providing uncensored news to audiences in regions where press freedom is limited. Advocates are calling on Congress to intervene, ensuring that these journalists can continue their vital work without fear of retaliation or loss of livelihood.

The situation remains fluid, with ongoing legal proceedings and political debates shaping the future of U.S. government-funded international media. The outcome will have significant implications for press freedom and the United States’ role in promoting democratic values worldwide.

I admire Robinson, a lifelong Democrat. But the agency’s previous management brought shame upon the organization by, among other things, using taxpayer dollars in a scheme to discredit Robinson and other critics as “right-wing.”

Reform is essential. The White House decision, in contrast, imposes collective punishment and, as such, is profoundly unfair to the foreign language services broadcasters. Most are not responsible for the mess caused by the agency’s previous partisan appointees.

There are a few problematic foreign language services. Some have outlived their usefulness, but most refugee journalists U.S. Agency for Global Media entities do a stellar job of providing objective news where it is needed. Today, they are crushed and confused while the dictators and authoritarians rejoice.

English-language programming may seem important to people in Washington, but it is not at the core of this agency’s mission. Unprofessional English-speaking reporters and editors can be easily let go or replaced, but it will be much harder to replace specialists in foreign languages.

Even if some operations are eventually restored, a journalist in the VOA Russian Service wondered in an e-mail to me what this crisis would do to the nation’s reputation, the credibility of VOA programs, and staff motivation. These foreign-born journalists are some of the most talented and hard-working professionals I know.

These journalists are also fearless defenders of human rights. A broadcaster in the VOA Bosnian Service, whom I admire, is deeply worried that some of her colleagues in the other foreign language services may be forced to return to their native countries to live under dictatorships.

Even in the VOA English newsroom, there are still a few professional and unbiased reporters.

Congress should immediately take bipartisan action to persuade Trump and his Cabinet to let the good journalists get back to work at VOA while also continuing to break up its dysfunctional and corrupt agency bureaucracy.

Ted Lipien was Voice of America’s Polish service chief during Poland’s struggle for democracy and its acting associate director. He served briefly in 2020 to 2021 as president of Radio Free Europe-Radio Liberty.

Reference –

https://www.aol.com/opinion-congress-must-save-good-140000450.html

Congress must save the good journalists at VOA, RFE/RL, RFA, Radio TV Marti, MBN | LIPIEN in THE HILL

Congress must save the good journalists at VOA

Title: U.S. Government-Funded Media Face Shutdown Amidst Legal and Political Turmoil

Hezbollah’s Attack on Journalists Near Syrian-Lebanese Border Condemned by Syrian Authorities

Washington State Senate Bill 5400: A Proposed Solution to Support Local Journalism

Hezbollah’s Attack on Journalists Near Syrian-Lebanese Border Condemned by Syrian Authorities

Washington State Senate Bill 5400: A Proposed Solution to Support Local Journalism

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