US-funded Broadcasters Defy Trump’s Shutdown Order, Continue Operations

Several US-funded international broadcasters, including Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL), Radio Free Asia (RFA), and Middle East Broadcasting Networks (MBN), are continuing to operate despite an executive order from President Donald Trump calling for their shutdown.

Network executives argue that the terminations were unlawful and are exploring legal action to challenge the order. Lisa Curtis, chair of RFE/RL, stated on LinkedIn that legal teams are prepared to defend the networks’ Congressionally authorised mission.

Meanwhile, these broadcasters are reporting on the uncertainty surrounding their future. Radio Free Asia’s latest coverage highlights concerns among Asian dissidents over the funding freeze.

Trump’s Executive Order and its Impact

Trump’s Friday night order sought to dismantle the US Agency for Global Media (USAGM) and several other federal agencies. By Saturday, journalists at Voice of America (VOA) were instructed to cease operations, with some staff placed on administrative leave and others officially laid off by Sunday.

VOA’s website stopped updating, leaving outdated articles like “Forecasters warn of tornadoes in the US in coming days” frozen on the homepage.

However, unlike VOA, other USAGM-funded broadcasters operate as nonprofit organisations funded through federal grants, which has allowed them to continue working despite the shutdown directive.

Trump adviser Kari Lake, who was recently appointed as a senior official at USAGM, issued memos on Saturday, declaring that the networks' grants were terminated and that unused funds must be returned.

Despite these orders, network leaders remain defiant, insisting that their independent journalism must continue. While formal legal challenges have not yet been filed, industry insiders suggest that court action could be imminent.

As US-funded media outlets fight to remain operational, this standoff underscores the broader battle over press freedom and government influence in publicly funded journalism.
Source: CNN