Chinese state media has expressed approval of Donald Trump's decision to reduce public funding for Voice of America (VOA) and Radio Free Asia (RFA), both known for their coverage of authoritarian governments. This move impacts thousands of employees, with around 1,300 VOA staff placed on paid leave following an executive order issued on Friday.
While critics argue that this decision undermines democratic values, China's Global Times criticized VOA's reporting on China, describing it as having been "discarded by its own government like a dirty rag." The White House justified the cuts, stating they prevent taxpayers from funding "radical propaganda."
The cuts target the US Agency for Global Media (USAGM), which receives congressional support and finances outlets like VOA, RFA, and Radio Free Europe. These organizations are praised for their journalism in regions with limited press freedom, such as China, Cambodia, Russia, and North Korea. Despite broadcasting bans in some countries, audiences can access their content via shortwave radio or VPNs.
RFA has reported extensively on human rights issues in Cambodia, where former leader Hun Sen praised the cuts as a step towards eliminating "fake news." RFA was also among the first to cover China's detention centers in Xinjiang, where Uyghur Muslims are allegedly held without trial. Beijing denies these allegations, claiming the centers are voluntary "re-education camps" aimed at combating "terrorism and religious extremism." VOA's award-winning reporting includes stories on North Korean defectors and the Chinese Communist Party's alleged COVID-19 cover-up.
VOA, which broadcasts in Mandarin and other languages, was recognized last year for its coverage of rare protests in China against COVID-19 lockdowns. However, China's Global Times labeled VOA a "lie factory," predicting that its narratives will eventually be ridiculed as more Americans gain a broader perspective on China.
Former Global Times editor Hu Xijin celebrated the cuts, declaring that both VOA and RFA, which he described as hostile to China, have been effectively neutralized. VOA journalist Valdya Baraputri, who lost her job due to the cuts, remarked that such reactions were predictable. She previously worked for BBC World Service and criticized the elimination of VOA for allowing biased reporting to flourish.
The National Press Club, representing US journalists, condemned the order as a threat to America's commitment to a free press. Established during World War II to counter Nazi propaganda, VOA reaches approximately 360 million people weekly in nearly 50 languages, including broadcasts in regions like China, North Korea, and Cuba. VOA's director, Michael Abramowitz, argued that Trump's order weakens VOA while adversaries like Iran, China, and Russia invest heavily in spreading false narratives against the US.
Baraputri, originally from Indonesia and based in Washington DC, joined VOA in 2018 and returned in 2023, drawn by its commitment to unbiased reporting. She expressed feelings of betrayal regarding US press freedom and concern for colleagues who might face persecution if forced to return to their home countries.
Meanwhile, the Czech Republic has requested EU intervention to sustain Radio Free Europe, which broadcasts in 27 languages across 23 countries, reaching over 47 million people weekly. RFA's CEO, Bay Fang, announced plans to challenge the order, arguing that cutting funding rewards authoritarian regimes like the Chinese Communist Party, allowing their influence to grow unchecked.
RFA, established in 1996, reaches nearly 60 million people weekly in countries like China, Myanmar, North Korea, and Cambodia, broadcasting in languages including Tibetan and Uyghur. Fang emphasized that the cuts disenfranchise millions who rely on RFA for truthful reporting and ultimately benefit America's adversaries.
While Chinese state media celebrates the cuts, the true sentiment of the Chinese public remains unclear due to internet censorship. Outside China, long-time listeners of VOA and RFA express disappointment and concern. Chinese dissident Du Wen, living in Belgium, highlighted the historical significance of these outlets in providing hope and information to those living under oppressive regimes.