Trump’s funding cut to RFE/RL alarms leaders; organization seeks alternative support amid threats.
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President Donald Trump’s decision to cut funding to Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) is seen as a victory for authoritarian regimes, according to GintarÄ— Ĺ˝ukaitÄ—-ZelenkienÄ—, head of the Vilnius office. Although operations are not yet halted in any office, the duration of their continuation is uncertain. RFE/RL leadership is actively seeking alternative funding sources, including support from European Union institutions, and has taken legal action against the U.S. Agency for Global Media regarding the funding cut. Ĺ˝ukaitÄ—-ZelenkienÄ— emphasizes that RFE/RL has historically provided uncensored, reliable information to those living under restrictive regimes, and the funding cut risks allowing propaganda from regimes like Russia, Belarus, and China to gain ground. The Vilnius office currently employs journalists who fled Belarus, where RFE/RL was declared an extremist organization. Former Estonian President Toomas Hendrikas Ilves suggested the funding cut was not solely for financial reasons but also to avoid offending Vladimir Putin and Viktor Orbán, urging the EU to become more involved in supporting RFE/RL. RFE/RL’s director, Stephen Capusas, criticized the decision as a major gift to adversaries.
