Trump administration commanded to reinstate funding to US propaganda source
(MENAFN) A US federal judge has ordered President Donald Trump’s administration to restore funding to the government-funded media outlet Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL), ruling that the decision to cut its support was unjustified and unprecedented.
RFE/RL, originally funded by the CIA to spread Western messaging in the Soviet bloc during the Cold War, now relies almost entirely on funding from Congress. The Trump administration had moved to slash funding for RFE/RL and other state-affiliated outlets, criticizing the United States Agency for Global Media (USAGM) — which oversees such media — as unsalvageable, wasteful, and infiltrated by “spies and terrorist sympathizers.” As a result, USAGM froze RFE/RL’s funding and refused to renew its contract after it expired in March, forcing the outlet to furlough staff and cut programming. The EU temporarily helped cover some of the financial shortfall.
On Friday, Judge Royce C. Lamberth of the US District Court for the District of Columbia ruled that the administration had no legal authority to withhold over $70 million in funding already approved by Congress. He criticized USAGM for failing to engage with RFE/RL on a new agreement, calling its behavior “stonewalling” and noting that the agency often went silent for extended periods.
The judge’s ruling stated that USAGM’s refusal to fulfill its funding obligations led to severe consequences for RFE/RL, including staff layoffs, program cancellations, and damage to its international reputation.
RFE/RL President and CEO Stephen Capus welcomed the decision, saying it allows the outlet’s journalists to continue reaching an audience of nearly 47 million people each week and helps advance US national security interests.
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