Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, a U.S.-backed news organization established during the Cold War to reach those under communist regimes, has initiated legal action against Kari Lake and the Trump administration over attempts to cut its funding. The lawsuit, filed in a federal court in Washington D.C., claims that a $7.5 million invoice submitted on Monday remains unpaid, arguing that this funding halt violates the financial authority of Congress. The organization is primarily funded by government grants, with only about 1% coming from private contributions and other sources.
The lawsuit emphasizes that distributing funds as mandated by appropriations laws and making them available through grants as per the International Broadcasting Act is a legal obligation, not a discretionary decision. It calls for urgent intervention to ensure compliance with the law.
President Donald Trump, alongside Kari Lake, appeared at a campaign rally in Prescott Valley, Arizona, on October 13, 2024. Without the restoration of funds, the station faces potential layoffs, impacting its ability to deliver news to 23 countries across Europe and Asia in 27 different languages.
Stephen Capus, President and CEO of RFE/RL, stated that this is not the moment to yield to the propaganda and censorship efforts of America's adversaries. He expressed confidence in the legal system and dismissed any premature celebrations by authoritarian regimes.
The lawsuit targets the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM), its acting CEO Victor Morales, and Kari Lake, a former Arizona TV anchor and political candidate, who now serves as a senior advisor to Morales. This legal move follows an executive order by President Trump aimed at dismantling USAGM.
European leaders have expressed concerns over the potential funding crisis for Radio Free Europe due to the cuts initiated by Trump. Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavsky has urged EU ministers to explore ways to support the Prague-based service. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas described Radio Free Europe as a "beacon of democracy" and lamented the U.S. funding cuts.
Radio Free Europe began its broadcasts in 1950 to countries like Poland, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Romania, and Bulgaria, which were under Soviet influence. Radio Liberty started its broadcasts to the Soviet Union in 1953, offering an alternative to state-controlled media in communist regions.