- VOA (Voice of America) had been operating since 1942, while Radio Free Europe — since 1950
- When announcing the decision on Saturday, the White home stated that Trump's decision "will guarantee that taxpayers will no longer pay for extremist propaganda", calling the VOA "the voice of extremist America"
- Decision critics point to both loudly as an crucial component of American "soft power" and a symbol of American democracy for societies in authoritarian regimes
- - Another bottle of champagne open on the Kremlin. They must run out of supplies,” commented Russian oppositionist Vladimir Kara-Murza
On Saturday, under president Trump's decree, after more than 75 years of action, broadcasts of a number of publically funded radio and tv stations were halted., including the largest and most famous, Voice of America and Radio Free Europe (RFE). All Voice of America journalists (VOA) were sent on forced leave. Radio Free Europe was informed of the completion of backing by the US Global Media Agency (USAGM). Established in 1950, the media has over 2,000 employees, a budget of 270 million dollars and broadcast in 49 languages to an audience estimated at 361 million people a week. The VOA had been operating since 1942 and the Radio Free Europe since 1950.
When announcing the decision on Saturday, the White home stated that Trump's decision "will guarantee that taxpayers will no longer pay for extremist propaganda", calling the VOA "the voice of extremist America", quoting a number of critical voices about the station's activities and its alleged left-wing.
The legality of Trump's decree ordering USAGM to "limit the performance of statutory functions and associated personnel to the minimum required by law" is being challenged by any lawyers (they claim that these media were appointed by the legislature Act and only legislature can close them) will most likely be the subject of litigation, as would its erstwhile analogous actions to close the USAID Assistance Agency. Nevertheless, it is almost certain that VOA and RFE will cease to be in the current shape.
“It’s a shock that it truly happened”
Although Trump’s decision was expected — people around the president had long criticized the media, and Elon Musk demanded their closure — many were amazed to announce the decision.
— Each of us thought that this could happen due to the fact that we had 1 series of layoffs and no 1 was certain of their work. But after all, it's a shock that it truly happened. That an institution that has lasted for so many decades can be closed overnight," said the Ukrainian writer for Voice of America.
— This is not a surprise, but I was dreaming that we would last until at least April due to the fact that I was working on a fresh investigative project," said a writer working in the Russian section of Radio Free Europe.
“It feels like America is forgetting us”
Critics of the decision point out both loudly as an crucial component of American "soft power" and a symbol of American democracy for societies in authoritarian regimes, mentioning its function as an alternate to authoritative propaganda in the east bloc states. These media played a akin function after the end of the Cold War, conducting investigations into corruption, abuse and war crimes in Russia, or the persecution of the Uighurs in China, but besides playing a function in countries where there was a regression of democracy specified as Georgia.
— The VOA played a very crucial function in Georgia as an alternate origin of information unrelated to the authorities. There are less and less specified sources. It was besides a symbol of the American commitment to democracy in our country. Seeing this all feels like America is forgetting us, and the authorities will be able to do whatever they want," said a Georgian writer in the past associated with the Voice of America.
"Another bottle of champagne opened on the Kremlin"
— Cancellation of the grant agreement for Radio Free Europe/Radio Freedom would be a large gift to the enemies of America. Iranian Ayatollahs, Chinese communist leaders and autocrats in Moscow and Minsk would celebrate the fall of RFE/RL after 75 years. Giving our opponents triumph would make them stronger and America weaker," said Radio president Free Europe Stephen Capus.
This opinion was agreed by Russian oppositionist Vladimir Kara-Murza. - Another bottle of champagne open on the Kremlin. They must run out of supplies — he said.
In a akin tone, erstwhile U.S. Ambassador to Moscow Michael McFaul assessed the situation. "By closing VOA and Radio Free Asia, Trump seemingly intends to destruct another instrument of American force. This can be saved as another Putin and authoritarian triumph worldwide," he commented on platform X.
The head of the Czech diplomacy Jan Lipavsky besides stood up for Radio. "From Belarus to Iran, from Russia to Afghanistan, RFERL and VOA stay 1 of the fewer free sources of information for those who live in oppression. To silence them would be a failure not only to them, but to all of us who believe in democracy," he said.
