The Radio Free Asia (RFA) Burmese language service officially announced its closure on Friday, marking a significant loss for independent journalism in Myanmar where press freedom is already severely restricted by the regime, which seized power in a 2021 military coup.
“A diverse media landscape is especially crucial during this period of military rule. This is very sad news,” a journalist from Myanmar now working in Chiang Mai, Thailand told DVB on the condition of anonymity. An unknown number of independent Myanmar news agencies relocated to Thailand in 2021, where they now operate from exile.
The RFA shutdown follows U.S. President Donald Trump’s executive order issued on March 14, which led to a notice of funding termination for the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM). It oversees several outlets, including Voice of America (VOA), Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL), and RFA.
“We inform you that due to funding uncertainties, the RFA Burmese Service will cease operations. We sincerely thank our audience for their years of trust and support,” Kyaw Kyaw Aung, the head of RFA Burmese language service, shared in a social media post on Friday.
Additional text at:
https://english.dvb.no/radio-free-asia-burmese-language-service-closes-permanently-myanmar-media-struggle-with-us-funding-cuts/
