White House issues USAGM closures
White House statement issued late Friday evening announced intention to close grantee media under USAGM. . .
AI definition: The U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM) oversees several non-statutory components, which are independent organizations funded through grants. These include:
* *Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL):* Provides news in 27 languages across 23 countries, focusing on regions with restricted press freedom.
* *Radio Free Asia (RFA):* Delivers uncensored news to countries with limited media freedom.
* *Middle East Broadcasting Networks (MBN):* Operates Alhurra Television, Radio Sawa, and digital platforms targeting audiences in the Middle East and North Africa.
* *Open Technology Fund (OTF):* Promotes internet freedom in repressive environments by supporting secure communication tools and technologies.\
USAGM non-statutory components are also called "grantees" essentially NGOs including: Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL), Radio Free Asia (RFA), Middle East Broadcasting Networks (MBN), Open Technology Fund (OTF).
Federalized parts of @USAGM are @VOANews and @martinews Office of Cuba Broadcasting.
Sharp reductions of grantee media ops under @USAGM have been expected for some time; EO from White House issued at 10:44 PM EDT was first formal move by administration to close them.
Duplication between VOA and grantee media has been focus of criticism for decades, including GAO and other reports, with language broadcasts/online ops continuing at VOA as well as grantee Radio Free Asia.
This separate story was published by Politico early Friday evening EDT: https://www.politico.com/news/2025/03/14/radio-free-asia-funding-freeze-layoffs-00231780
USAGM, Senior Advisor Kari Lake cancels obscenely expensive 15-year-lease that burdened the taxpayers and enforces Trump’s Executive Order to drastically downsize agency
Story available at: https://www.usagm.gov/2025/03/15/u-s-agency-for-global-media-complies-with-presidential-executive-order-to-reduce-the-federal-bureaucracy/
Bloody Saturday at Voice of America and other U.S.-funded networks
Requiem for the voice that carried a nation’s conscience
VOA's signal for 83 years crossed borders and ideologies—now its silence will speak volumes.
Steve Herman comments: https://www.steveherman.press/p/requiem-for-the-voice-that-carried
