27 Media Organizations Request Support from the U.S. for Foreign Journalists

Reactions to the U.S. government's sudden decision to cut funding for media under the "U.S. Agency for Global Media" such as Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Radio Free Asia, and Voice of America continue. The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) on Wednesday, March 20, along with 26 other press freedom and journalism advocacy groups, declared their support for press freedom and urged the United States to support journalists and media staff working at the "U.S. Agency for Global Media." In a letter organized by the aforementioned committee, it stated that the removal of these media outlets, which have provided access to audiences in countries under authoritarian rule for over 80 years, would be a "serious blow to press freedom." The letter also noted that media such as Voice of America and Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty and their affiliates are often targets of attacks in authoritarian countries, and many of their staff face serious personal risks while covering news in these repressive regimes. Meanwhile, the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) expressed deep concern over the U.S. government's decision to cut funding for Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty and the potential closure of "an important source of reliable news in various languages for millions of audiences." Liz Corbin, the news director of the EBU, expressed solidarity with Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty and "the hundreds of endangered journalists," as well as the audiences who rely on this news organization's independent reporting, stating: "For years, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty has provided valuable reports and news from some of the most difficult and dangerous places on earth for journalists and shared them with other European media." Corbin further emphasized that "to counter propaganda, censorship, and distortion, any media that helps inform people by providing reliable news should be supported." Steven Kipes, President and CEO of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, called the funding cut by the U.S. Agency for Global Media "illegal" in an interview with National Public Radio (NPR) and stated that this agency cannot act contrary to a U.S. congressional resolution. He also reported that this organization has cut the transmitters of Radio Free Europe, and based on obtained information, this cut includes Radio Farda, the Persian section of Radio Free Europe, depriving 10% of the audience in Iran, or six and a half million Iranians who listened to radio programs weekly, of this service. Radio Free Europe publishes information and broadcasts weekly for 47 million people in 23 countries and in 27 languages. Radio Farda is part of Radio Free Europe, which has a 24/7 radio program and its website and social media publish dozens of news, reports, and videos daily. CNN also reported on Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, emphasizing that contrary to the Trump administration's wishes, journalists from this organization continue to work and report. The network noted that in addition to Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, staff from Radio Free Asia are also continuing their work despite the sudden funding cut. Radio Free Europe has filed a lawsuit against the "U.S. Agency for Global Media" due to its funding cut. CNN also mentioned the legal actions taken by the managers of these organizations in the U.S. judiciary, particularly the lawsuit filed on Tuesday evening by Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty against the U.S. Agency for Global Media, with Keri Lake and Victor Morales as the interim heads of this agency. Meanwhile, Keri Lake, who apparently anticipated such a lawsuit, sarcastically told the managers of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty during an appearance on Steve Bannon's show: "They've probably been working all weekend. I hope they haven't slept at all." Lake continued, "We will continue our work based on the executive order of President Trump." On the other hand, Rostislav Valovoda, CEO of the Prague Civil Society Center, also issued a statement of solidarity, writing: "Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty has bravely informed, conducted serious and fundamental investigations, and held power holders accountable in many of the most dangerous places on earth for journalism over decades. Closing this institution would mean aiding all autocrats." The statement from the CEO of the Prague Civil Society Center. Meanwhile, Russian state media expressed joy over the potential closure of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Radio Free Asia, and Voice of America. Dmitry Peskov, the Kremlin spokesperson, in the first reaction, attempted to downplay this issue from Moscow's perspective, stating: "These media outlets have not been popular in Russia and are not needed. Their work is merely propaganda dissemination." On the other hand, four current or former Kremlin officials, in conversations with the Moscow Times, emphasized the influence of these media outlets, stating that they have "damaged the Kremlin's image in the former Soviet republics." A Russian diplomat told the newspaper: "These media outlets have undoubtedly harmed us in the former Soviet republics, as their work, according to him, focused on sowing discord between Moscow and its allies." Margarita Simonyan, the editor-in-chief of the state-funded RT network, which has been sanctioned by the European Union for disseminating fake propaganda, welcomed the Trump administration's decision. Simonyan accused Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty and Voice of America of "spreading fake news and attempting to brainwash Russian citizens," praising the Trump administration's decision. The RT editor-in-chief also stated on the most important program of Russian state television on Sunday night: "Unfortunately, we couldn't shut them down, but America did it itself." Earlier, Chinese and Islamic Republic media also expressed happiness over the funding cut and the potential closure of these media outlets.