RFE/RL Sues USAGM to Block Termination of Federal Grant

18 March 2025

RFE/RL Sues USAGM to Block Termination of Federal Grant

Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) today (18 March) sued the United States Agency for Global Media (USAGM), as well as USAGM officials Kari Lake and Victor Morales, to block their attempted termination of RFE/RL’s federal grant.

The complaint makes the case that denying RFE/RL the funds that Congress appropriated for it violates federal laws—including the U.S. Constitution, which vests Congress with exclusive power over federal spending. The case will be heard in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia.

RFE/RL President and CEO Stephen Capus said: “This is not the time to cede terrain to the propaganda and censorship of America’s adversaries. We believe the law is on our side and that the celebration of our demise by despots around the world is premature.”

France Médias Monde and Deutsche Welle express deep concern over the US decision to suspend USAGM employees and funding

17 March 2025

France Médias Monde and Deutsche Welle express deep concern over the US decision to suspend USAGM employees and funding

France Médias Monde (FMM) and Deutsche Welle (DW) are alarmed by the US administration’s decision on 15 March to halt funding for American public international media, including Voice of America, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, and Radio Free Asia. This move threatens to deprive millions of people worldwide of a vital source of balanced and verified information—especially in countries where independent journalism is scarce or nonexistent. By weakening this crucial safeguard against disinformation and manipulation, the decision endangers global media freedom.

This action is particularly concerning given the United States’ long-standing role as a champion of press freedom and professional journalism within the DG8* and beyond. At a time of increasing global polarisation, the need for independent, multilingual, and pluralistic journalism has never been more critical. The abrupt nature of this decision only heightens concerns over its impact.

While FMM and DW remain committed to their mission, they recognise the broader risks posed by the potential loss of their American counterpart in the shared pursuit of democracy and free expression. They stand in full solidarity with their colleagues at the US Agency for Global Media (USAGM), many of whom may now face the difficult prospect of leaving the United States and returning to their home countries.

This decision underscores, once again, the urgent need to defend the European model of independent public service media—embodied by the continent’s international broadcasters—and to secure the long-term sustainability of their funding.

*About the DG8

The DG8 comprises eight international public service media organizations from Australia (ABC International), Canada (CBC/Radio-Canada), France (France Médias Monde), Germany (Deutsche Welle), Japan (NHK WORLD-JAPAN), Switzerland (SRG SSR), the United Kingdom (BBC World Service), and the United States (U.S. Agency for Global Media). Collectively, DG8 members generate more than 1.5 billion user contacts every week in more than 75 languages, giving them a significant journalistic impact worldwide.

AIB Statement on US Administration’s Decision to Cut Funding and Suspend Employees of Voice of America

16 March 2025

AIB Statement on US Administration’s Decision to Cut Funding and Suspend Employees of Voice of America

The Association for International Broadcasting (AIB) is highly concerned by the decision on 15 March by the US administration to effectively cease funding for US international broadcasting entities and to place hundreds of employees of Voice of America (VoA) on administrative leave. These measures represent a significant setback for global media freedom and threaten the ability of millions of people worldwide to access impartial, fact-based journalism.

For more than eight decades, US international broadcasters such as VoA, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, and others have served as critical sources of independent news for audiences living under censorship, state-controlled media, and information blackouts. Their reporting provides an essential counterbalance to disinformation and propaganda in some of the most restrictive media environments in the world.

The decision to cut funding and suspend operations has far-reaching and potentially irreversible consequences. It will:

Undermine media freedom: By weakening one of the world’s most respected international news providers, these actions risk emboldening authoritarian regimes that seek to suppress independent journalism.
Reduce access to credible information: Hundreds of millions of people who rely on US international broadcasters for accurate and unbiased reporting—particularly in conflict zones and countries with restricted press freedom—will find it more difficult to access reliable news.
Damage America’s global credibility: The US has long championed press freedom as a fundamental democratic principle. By dismantling key international broadcasting institutions, the US government undermines its own commitment to free and independent journalism.

At a time when disinformation and propaganda are on the rise, the need for independent, professional journalism is greater than ever. The AIB calls on the US administration to immediately reverse these damaging decisions, restore funding to US international broadcasters, and ensure that journalists can continue their vital work without political interference.

Commenting on the developments, Simon Spanswick, AIB chief executive, said: “At a time when the world is looking to the US to be a global player for peace and freedom, cutting funding for US international media – one of the main instruments underpinning this goal – seems the wrong direction to take.”

RFE/RL President: Defunding Would be “Massive Gift to America’s Enemies”

16 March 2025

RFE/RL President: Defunding Would be “Massive Gift to America’s Enemies”

Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) was informed today (15 March) by the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM) that its federal grant agreement, which funds RFE/RL’s global operations, has been terminated.

RFE/RL President and CEO Stephen Capus said: “The cancellation of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty’s grant agreement would be a massive gift to America’s enemies. The Iranian Ayatollahs, Chinese communist leaders, and autocrats in Moscow and Minsk would celebrate the demise of RFE/RL after 75 years. Handing our adversaries a win would make them stronger and America weaker.

We’ve benefitted from strong bipartisan support throughout RFE/RL’s storied history. Without us, the nearly 50 million people in closed societies who depend on us for accurate news and information each week won’t have access to the truth about America and the world.”

NHK WORLD-JAPAN programme focus in March

3 March 2025

NHK WORLD-JAPAN programme focus in March

Hokuriku – Connecting Tradition with Innovation

Hit the Road: FUKUI Mar 5 Wed. 1:30/6:30/12:30/17:30/22:30 (UTC) Explore Fukui by car, now connected by Shinkansen—historic streets and traditional crafts await! Take a drive from Fukui to Kumagawajuku, a historic post town with Edo-period charm, and discover the exquisite craftsmanship of lacquered chopsticks.
Japan in Focus: Current Status of Disaster-related NPOs Mar 28 Fri. 14:30/20:30/3:10/10:10 (UTC) Hard-earned experience has made nonprofit organizations invaluable partners in disaster recovery. Japan’s government is now moving toward formalizing their role.
Trails to Oishii Tokyo: Winter delicacies in Hokuriku Mar 29 Sat. 1:10/7:10/13:10/19:10 (UTC) The Sea of Japan keeps the Hokuriku region supplied with flavorful food. Come travel through the region’s three prefectures to find winter’s finest delicacies.
Oscar Nominee for Best Documentary Short Film Feb 28 Fri. 4:30/8:30/16:30/23:30 (UTC) Instruments of a Beating Heart First graders in a Tokyo public elementary school are presented with a challenge for the final semester: performing “Ode to Joy” at the ceremony for the new incoming first graders. Ayame, who often struggles to keep up with the group, is determined to play a major part — the big drum. We follow Ayame as she experiences shattering blows and joyous victories in the audition process. But to rehearse for the big performance, Ayame must quickly learn to deal with newfound pressure and responsibility. When it comes time to perform in the packed auditorium, will she prevail? Instruments of a Beating Heart intimately examines the Japanese educational system’s tenuous balance between self-sacrifice and human growth as it teaches the next generation to become part of Japanese society.
Asia Insight Fridays 0:30/5:30/10:30/15:30/21:30 (UTC) Dynamic Asia. Stories behind the world’s largest continent as it faces political, economic, cultural and technological change.

France Médias Monde establishes regional hub in Beirut

28 February 2025

France Médias Monde establishes regional hub in Beirut

Since February 27, 2025, France Médias Monde has established a new hub near Beirut, Lebanon. Situated in the heart of the Near and Middle East, this initiative complements existing newsrooms in Africa, Latin America, and Central and Eastern Europe. Through a localised approach, it aims to foster audience trust by delivering news in their native languages. The Beirut-based team enhances the digital production capabilities of France 24’s Arabic editorial team and Monte Carlo Doualiya (MCD), creating content for both media outlets’ websites and social media platforms.

AN EDITORIAL TEAM AT THE CORE OF THE NEAR AND MIDDLE EAST

A team of approximately 15 Arabic-speaking journalists from across the region (Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Egypt, Morocco, and beyond) has been recruited for this digital newsroom. They are supported by specialists in digital technologies, including SEO and infographics. Joumana Fehmi, a seasoned journalist with experience at MTV Lebanon, Alrai TV Koweit, Future TV, and Info3 News, has been appointed editor-in-chief and operational director.

Operating under the local subsidiary ‘France Médias Monde Orient,’ the team collaborates closely with France 24 and MCD newsrooms at France Médias Monde headquarters, ensuring strong editorial alignment between Paris and Beirut. Additionally, they benefit from the expertise of all France Médias Monde editorial divisions (RFI, France 24, MCD). All journalists recruited in Beirut in late 2024 underwent a two-month training programme with the France Médias Monde Academy, receiving guidance from experts in editorial, digital, technical, and security fields.

A STRATEGY OF GEOGRAPHICAL AND LINGUISTIC PROXIMITY

The Beirut regional hub is a key element of France Médias Monde’s strategy to cultivate public trust by maintaining geographic and linguistic proximity to its audiences.

Lebanon was chosen for this digital newsroom due to France Médias Monde’s longstanding presence in the country — a Francophone nation where RFI, France 24, and MCD extensively cover political, economic, social, and cultural news through on-site correspondents in French, English, and Arabic. This initiative also strengthens France Médias Monde’s partnerships in Lebanon. For instance, Radio Liban airs 12 hours of RFI’s French-language programming daily, while Télé Liban broadcasts France 24’s Arabic-language programmes.

By establishing an Arabic-speaking editorial team in Beirut, France Médias Monde reinforces its commitment to promoting Francophonie in a multilingual world. Expanding Arabic-language content allows the group to share the values of Francophonie with audiences in regions where French is less commonly spoken.

STRENGTHENED EFFORTS AGAINST DISINFORMATION

Like the Arabic-language editorial teams based in Paris, the Beirut newsroom produces free, independent, verified, and balanced news coverage of current events in the Near and Middle East and across the Arab world. This regional perspective enriches and complements France 24’s Arabic and MCD’s digital offerings while playing a crucial role in combating disinformation. The newsroom leverages the expertise of France 24 Observers, a recognised leader in fact-checking and countering fake news.

Content produced on-site is specifically tailored for digital platforms, including mobile videos, infographics, vertical formats, articles, and podcasts. This strategy enhances the visibility of France 24 in Arabic and MCD in the digital landscape, driving growth across their websites, apps, and social media channels. Additionally, this new structure enables France 24 in Arabic and MCD to expand onto platforms such as TikTok.

CONTENT PRODUCED IN BEIRUT

> Around 15 digital-first programmes from France 24 in Arabic and MCD, adapted for various platforms and social networks;

> Daily columns covering Gulf-region current events, health, and environmental topics;

> ‘Explainers’ on economic and societal issues;

> Video capsules and short clips published daily on YouTube and other social media platforms;

> International news articles for other France Médias Monde Arabic-language outlets.

A BASE AT ESA BUSINESS SCHOOL IN BEIRUT

The new France Médias Monde office in Beirut is housed within the ESA Business School (École Supérieure des Affaires). This partnership provides the newsroom with modern infrastructure, materials, and technical resources. The ESA Business School also serves as a hub of expertise, with faculty members offering valuable insights for journalists, particularly in economics, society, and environmental issues.

A PROJECT FUNDED BY PUBLIC DEVELOPMENT AID

France Médias Monde’s Arabic-language digital newsroom in Beirut is funded by France’s official development assistance budget (Programme 209: “Solidarity with Developing Countries”) under a multi-year grant from the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs. This funding supports the group’s proximity-based strategy and commitment to independent journalism.

Three other projects are also supported by this initiative:

In Dakar (Senegal), the Africa hub of France Médias Monde is expanding its pan-African digital offerings, targeting young audiences on social media, and developing a TV branch of France 24 for French-speaking Africa.
In Bucharest (Romania), the Central and Eastern Europe hub is being reinforced with RFI Romania, RFI in Ukrainian, and ENTR in Romanian.

With its new Arabic-language newsroom in Beirut, France Médias Monde strengthens its role as a trusted source of information, bringing audiences closer to accurate, independent, and relevant news coverage.

[Source: FMM press release]