Trump’s administration has frozen US-funded media outlets, sparking outrage. Critics warn that shutting down Voice of America and Radio Free Asia weakens U.S. influence and strengthens adversaries. Find out the full story.
In a shocking move, U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration has abruptly frozen operations at Voice of America (VOA), Radio Free Asia, Radio Free Europe, and other U.S.-funded media outlets, cutting off platforms long used to counter Russian and Chinese propaganda.
Hundreds of journalists and staff at these organizations were blindsided over the weekend when they received an email instructing them to vacate their offices, surrender press passes, and return government-issued phones and equipment.
The drastic measure follows an executive order issued by Trump last Friday, which categorized the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM) as part of a bloated bureaucracy that he deemed “unnecessary.”
Kari Lake, a staunch Trump ally and former Arizona news anchor who took charge of USAGM after an unsuccessful U.S. Senate bid, justified the move in an email, stating that federal grant money for the media agency “no longer effectuates agency priorities.”
However, the decision has drawn fierce backlash, with critics warning that shutting down these agencies undermines U.S. influence in global media and emboldens authoritarian regimes.
The head of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL), which played a critical role in countering Soviet propaganda during the Cold War, slammed the funding cut as a major setback for U.S. foreign policy.
“The Iranian ayatollahs, Chinese communist leaders, and autocrats in Moscow and Minsk would celebrate the demise of RFE/RL after 75 years,” said RFE/RL President Stephen Capus.
He warned that the move could weaken the U.S. and strengthen adversaries: “Handing our adversaries a win would make them stronger and America weaker.”
Since the Cold War, U.S.-funded media have shifted their focus from newly democratic European nations to challenging the narratives of authoritarian states like Russia and China.
Radio Free Asia (RFA), established in 1996, has been a key voice in exposing censorship and state control in China, Myanmar, North Korea, and Vietnam, while Voice of America (VOA) has been a critical source of independent journalism worldwide.
Despite receiving U.S. government funding, these media outlets have maintained editorial independence through a stated firewall policy, ensuring their reporting remains unbiased.
The abrupt shutdown has not only sparked outrage among media advocates but also highlighted deep political divisions. White House press official Harrison Fields made light of the situation in a sarcastic post on X, writing “goodbye” in 20 languages—mocking Voice of America’s multilingual coverage.
With this unprecedented move, many are questioning the future of America’s voice in global journalism and whether this decision will have lasting consequences for U.S. soft power abroad.
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