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April 28, 2025 – USA –
Hundreds of Arab journalists employed by US-funded broadcasters are facing uncertain futures following a sweeping executive order signed by former President Donald Trump. The move slashes funding to the Middle East Broadcasting Networks (MBN), the parent company of channels such as Alhurra and Radio Sawa, which serve Arabic-speaking audiences in the Middle East and North Africa. The abrupt cuts have prompted widespread layoffs, visa complications, and significant disruption to the lives and careers of the journalists affected.
The executive order, issued in April 2025, drastically reduced federal support for the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM), which oversees MBN. As a result, around 60 journalists based in Washington, D.C., and Dubai were abruptly told to prepare for dismissal. Most of these journalists are Arab nationals working under specialized visas, leaving them with limited time to remain in the U.S. legally after termination. Without employer sponsorship, they risk deportation or forced repatriation, often to countries plagued by political instability or repression.
The affected journalists, many of whom have spent years reporting for U.S. government-sponsored media, now find themselves in professional and personal turmoil. Some had relocated families, built communities, or escaped threats in their home countries under the belief that their work for U.S.-funded outlets offered a safer, more stable future. That belief has now been shattered.
In addition to job losses, critics argue that the executive order undermines the U.S.’s ability to engage with Arab audiences through credible, independent news. Alhurra and other MBN outlets were established to provide balanced reporting and counter misinformation in regions where press freedom is limited. With the layoffs, much of this journalistic infrastructure is being dismantled.
Human rights advocates, media watchdogs, and press unions have condemned the move as short-sighted and damaging to both U.S. soft power and the individuals involved. They are urging the Biden administration to intervene, restore funding, and offer immigration relief to affected journalists.
As the political battle continues, the fate of these media professionals hangs in the balance, caught between geopolitics and visa deadlines.
Reference –
https://www.newarab.com/news/60-alhurra-other-journalists-asked-leave-us-after-layoffs
https://www.anews.com.tr/americas/2025/05/07/trump-cuts-leave-dubai-based-us-journalists-in-limbo
