Trump’s Executive Order Shuts Down US Funded Media Outlets

On March 15, 2025, President Donald Trump issued an executive order that significantly reduced the operations of several US Funded Media Outlets, including Voice of America (VOA), Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL), and Radio Free Asia (RFA). This directive placed over 1,300 VOA employees on administrative leave and terminated funding for RFE/RL and RFA, effectively silencing these institutions.

The executive order targeted the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM), the parent organization overseeing these broadcasters, as part of a broader initiative to reduce the size of the federal government. The administration justified these cuts by labeling the affected media outlets as sources of “radical propaganda” and asserting that taxpayer funds should not support such content.

Kari Lake, a staunch Trump supporter and recent appointee as a senior advisor to USAGM, communicated the cessation of federal grant funding to RFE/RL employees and informed VOA staff of their administrative leave status. The White House emphasized that these measures were intended to ensure that taxpayers are no longer funding media organizations perceived as biased against the administration.

The abrupt reduction in operations of these US Funded Media Outlets has raised significant concerns among press freedom advocates and international observers. VOA, established during World War II to combat Nazi propaganda, has been a cornerstone in promoting freedom and democracy worldwide, broadcasting in nearly 50 languages to an audience of over 354 million people weekly.

RFE/RL and RFA have played crucial roles in providing uncensored news to countries with restricted press freedoms, such as Russia, China, and North Korea. The cessation of their operations is viewed as a substantial setback for independent journalism in these regions, potentially emboldening authoritarian regimes. Stephen Capus, president of RFE/RL, criticized the funding cuts as a “massive gift to America’s enemies,” highlighting the void left in countering disinformation and promoting democratic values.

The executive order has been met with widespread condemnation from various quarters. Reporters Without Borders described the decision as a threat to press freedom worldwide, negating decades of U.S. support for the free flow of information.

Domestically, critics argue that the move undermines the United States’ role as a defender of free information and weakens its ability to counter foreign propaganda. The National Press Club and other journalism organizations have expressed alarm, stating that these actions endanger global press freedom and aid authoritarian regimes.

The executive order’s alignment with legislative authority is contentious, as Congress established many of the affected agencies. The administration’s unilateral action to dismantle these organizations may face legal challenges, particularly concerning the separation of powers and the executive branch’s authority to override congressionally mandated entities.

This development is part of a broader effort by the Trump administration to reduce the size of the federal government. The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led by Elon Musk, has spearheaded initiatives to streamline federal operations, resulting in significant reductions in the federal workforce and programs. The recent executive order aligns with these efforts, targeting agencies deemed unnecessary or misaligned with the administration’s priorities. Reuters

The freezing of operations at US Funded Media Outlets marks a pivotal moment in U.S. international broadcasting, with far-reaching implications for global media landscapes and the promotion of democratic values. As legal and legislative challenges loom, the future of these venerable institutions remains uncertain, raising critical questions about the United States’ commitment to supporting free and independent media worldwide.