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 for the US foreigner Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) will initially be favorable after current legal steps have withdrawn the cuts in the government's grants under President Donald Trump. As the Kleine Zeitung is now waiting for an official confirmation that the previously deleted funding is available again.

A US court in Washington, D.C. has upheld the application from RFE/RL at an injunction to maintain the transmission operation. The lawsuit is directed against the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM) because of the deletion of the means approved by the congress. According to a judgment of the court, which occurred on March 25, 2025, the USAGM was "probably arbitrary" and that the termination of the grants RFE/RL could add a "non -resolving damage". This can be seen from a report by Radio blog

background of the cuts

The cuts are part of a larger plan that President Trump signed to reduce the German Bundesbureaucracy. Their goal is to significantly reduce the USAGM operations, which is also responsible for the Voice of America (VOA). Before the previous funds have been painted, the VOA, according to its own statements, reached over 300 million people in 48 languages, while RFE/RL, the broadcaster founded in 1950, reached almost 50 million people in 23 countries every week. The reductions could be at risk. Experts warn that such measures play authoritarian governments in countries such as Russia and China by containing the spread of independent messages. This development is also discussed by Deutschlandfunk

The US government reserves the right to further check the RFE/RL's lawsuit. The broadcaster himself states that he considers it illegally to hold back funds that have already been approved by the US Congress. The dispute over the outstanding grant, which amounts to around 71 million euros, is still pending.

The situation has triggered concern among media observers, analysts and advocates of democracy. The persistent threat to the financing could be accompanied by a broader debate about maintaining press freedom in authoritarian regimens and the protection of journalists who are often high risks to an increased crisis. Finally, a VOA journalist warned about the dangers of journalists whose work is restricted.

international support for RFE/RL

While the legal disputes last, Germany and nine other EU countries are committed to financial support from RFE/RL. The EU foreign officer described RFE/RL as a "lighthouse of freedom", which underlines the meaning of the transmitter in an increasingly difficult global news environment.

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