Chinese Media Applauds Trump's Funding Cuts to US International Broadcasters
Chinese media outlets have expressed approval of President Trump's decision to reduce funding for U.S. international broadcasters like Radio Free Asia (RFA) and Voice of America (VOA). The Global Times, a publication aligned with the Chinese Communist Party, praised the cuts to the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM), which manages these broadcasters.
In an editorial, the Global Times criticized VOA's reporting on China, accusing it of spreading false narratives about human rights issues in Xinjiang, disputes in the South China Sea, and the origins of the coronavirus. The Beijing Daily, another CCP-run newspaper, also supported the funding reductions.
President Trump signed an order to significantly cut USAGM's budget, labeling VOA as "radical" and "anti-Trump." The White House stated that this move would prevent taxpayers from funding what it described as radical propaganda. USAGM, which employed around 3,500 people with a budget of $886 million in 2024, is now facing significant operational reductions.
Bay Fang, president of RFA, criticized the decision, arguing that it serves authoritarian regimes, including the Chinese Communist Party, by limiting the spread of truthful information. RFA's union also condemned the cuts, stating they would benefit regimes like North Korea's, where information is tightly controlled.
At VOA, nearly 1,300 staff members have been placed on administrative leave. VOA director Mike Abramowitz and veteran correspondent Brian Padden have defended the organization's commitment to unbiased reporting, despite accusations of anti-American propaganda from figures like Elon Musk.
Patsy Widakuswara, VOA’s White House bureau chief, emphasized the importance of the organization's editorial independence, especially for journalists from countries lacking press freedom.
The cuts have also impacted media funding in Southeast Asia, affecting local journalists reporting on conflicts in Myanmar. Former Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen praised the cuts as a step towards reducing misinformation globally. However, Cambodian journalist Sun Narin, who has worked with VOA, described the situation as dire for journalism in the region, lamenting the loss of independent media voices.