Trump cuts funding for Prague-based RFE/RL: A 'gift to America’s enemies'

US President Donald Trump’s administration has ended funding for Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL), headquartered in Prague. The decision, which also affects Voice of America and Radio Free Asia, is part of a broader strategy to limit the operations of the United States Agency for Global Media (USAGM) to the legal minimum.

This has sparked strong reactions from Czech officials, media professionals, and international advocates for press freedom. Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavský voiced his concern, stating that silencing RFE/RL would be a loss not only for those living in authoritarian regimes but also for those who believe in democratic principles.

The Trump administration’s cut to RFE/RL’s funding represents a significant shift in policy that has drawn concerns over the future of free speech and independent journalism in countries with restricted media.

RFE/RL has been broadcasting for more than 75 years, offering uncensored news and information to audiences in countries where press freedoms are limited or suppressed. The station’s reach extends to regions such as Russia, Belarus, Iran, and Afghanistan, where independent news is often censored or outright banned.

The funding cut has been described as a "massive gift to America's enemies" by RFE/RL President and CEO Stephen Capus in a press release issued on Saturday. He emphasized that millions of listeners in authoritarian regimes rely on the station for accurate news.

"The Iranian Ayatollahs, Chinese communist leaders, and autocrats in Moscow and Minsk would celebrate the demise of RFE/RL after 75 years," Capus stated. "Handing our adversaries a win would make them stronger and America weaker."

The termination of funding has left many of RFE/RL’s reporters concerned about the future of their work. The cuts come at a time when the station's broadcasts are more critical than ever, particularly in a geopolitical climate where the spread of misinformation and state-controlled media is rampant.

In Prague, the decision has sparked strong criticism among Czech officials and media observers. According to Lipavský, silencing such vital sources of independent information would be a loss not only for those living in repressive environments but also for the democratic world as a whole.

"When Radio Free Europe began broadcasting, it was a beacon for those who had their truth taken away by totalitarianism. [Ferdinand] Peroutka, [Pavel] Tigrid and other exiles fought with their words against censorship and lies, " Lipavský said, referring to the Czech journalists who had worked for the station.

"From Belarus to Iran, from Russia to Afghanistan, RFE and Voice of America are one of the few free sources for people living in unfreedom. Silencing them would not only be a loss for them, but for all of us who believe in democracy."

The Committee to Protect Journalists has also criticized the move, calling it a dangerous precedent for press freedom. The USAGM’s decision to cease its contracts with major news agencies, such as AP, Reuters, and AFP, has added to the sense of uncertainty surrounding the future of American-funded international media outlets.