Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty is taking legal action against the Trump administration, suing to block the termination of federal funding for the U.S.-backed broadcaster. The network filed a federal lawsuit alleging that the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM) has violated both constitutional and federal laws by withholding funds allocated by Congress specifically for the broadcaster.
The USAGM, which provides financial support to international media outlets including Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, serves countries that lack a free and independent press. Stephen Capus, the president of the network, stated, “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.”
According to the network, it delivers news to approximately 47 million individuals each week in 27 languages across 23 countries, including significant regions such as Afghanistan, Hungary, Iran, Pakistan, Russia, and Ukraine. Established in 1950, the organization has played a crucial role in projecting American values and providing comprehensive news coverage in areas under authoritarian influence, advocating for democracy and free expression.
The lawsuit targets USAGM alongside two officials and emphasizes that their refusal to allocate funds contravenes congressional directives. Former USAGM general counsel David Kligerman commented that litigation was the only option left for the network, given its reliance on government funding.
In a recent executive order, the Trump administration directed USAGM to limit its activities strictly to those that are legally mandated. This order coincided with Congress passing a temporary spending bill essential for maintaining funding for the agency. The Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty lawsuit underscores the significance of its mission and insists that federal laws obligate the agency to allocate the required funds for its operations.
The document states, “This case challenges a federal agency’s refusal to abide by Congress’s power of the purse,” indicating that the agency’s discretion in funding decisions is not permissible under the law. Similar arguments have been made in court regarding the U.S. Agency for International Development, where a federal judge found likely constitutional violations by the Trump administration.
In a move that has drawn criticism from both sides of the aisle, the USAGM has put Voice of America staff on indefinite paid leave while terminating contracts related to Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty and other networks. These actions have sparked widespread condemnation from congressional Democrats, international diplomats, and some Republicans, while being celebrated by proponents of the Trump administration.
Reactions from foreign authorities have also been notable, with officials in Russia and China expressing approval of the U.S. network’s funding fallout. “They want to control the information landscape and they don’t see any value in exporting a free press,” commented Libby Liu, underscoring concerns about misinformation tactics employed by adversarial nations.
As Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty moves forward with its lawsuit, the implications for press freedom and the role of government-backed media in international contexts remain a pivotal discussion point in ongoing debates about democracy and information integrity.
