Clear signs for Radio Free Europe: funding cuts stopped in court!

Clear signs for Radio Free Europe: funding cuts stopped in court!

On March 27, 2025, the signs are initially favorable for the US international broadcaster Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) after current legal steps have initially reversed the government's cuts in subsidies under President Donald Trump. As the Small newspaper reported, we are now waiting for official confirmation that the previously canceled funding is available again.

A US courthouse in Washington, D.C. has granted RFE/RL's request for an injunction to maintain broadcast operations. The lawsuit is directed against the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM) due to the elimination of funding appropriated by Congress. According to a court ruling issued on March 25, 2025, USAGM acted “likely arbitrarily” and that ending the grants could cause “irreparable harm” to RFE/RL. This comes from a report by Radio Blog out.

Background to the cuts

The cuts are part of a larger plan signed by President Trump to reduce federal bureaucracy. Their goal is to significantly reduce the operations of USAGM, which is also responsible for the Voice of America (VoA), among other things. Before funding was cut, VoA said it reached over 300 million people in 48 languages, while RFE/RL, the broadcaster founded in 1950, reached nearly 50 million people in 23 countries each week. The reductions could put these numbers at risk. Experts warn that such measures play into the hands of authoritarian governments in countries like Russia and China by curbing the spread of independent news. This development is also supported by Deutschlandfunk thematised.

The U.S. government reserves the right to further review RFE/RL's lawsuit. The broadcaster itself states that it considers it unlawful to withhold funds that have already been appropriated by the US Congress. The dispute over the outstanding subsidy, which amounts to around 71 million euros, is currently still pending.

The situation has sparked concern among media observers, analysts and democracy advocates. The ongoing threat to funding could lead to a heightened crisis, accompanied by a broader debate about maintaining press freedom in authoritarian regimes and protecting journalists, who often face high risks. Most recently, a VoA journalist warned about the dangers for journalists whose work is restricted.

International support for RFE/RL

As the legal disputes continue, Germany and nine other EU states are committed to providing financial support to RFE/RL. The EU foreign policy chief described RFE/RL as a “beacon of freedom,” underscoring the channel's importance in an increasingly challenging global news environment.

The next decision in the ongoing legal dispute is expected in the coming weeks. Experts see the developments as crucial for the role of US foreign broadcasters in the global media landscape.