The Voice of America cuts ordered by Donald Trump have sparked global reactions, with China’s state media celebrating the move. The cuts have put 1,300 staff on leave and severely impacted media outlets that report on authoritarian regimes. Critics warn this weakens press freedom, while Beijing calls it a victory against “Western propaganda.”
China Praises Funding Cuts
China’s Global Times denounced Voice of America (VOA) and Radio Free Asia (RFA), calling them “lie factories.” The newspaper claimed these outlets had been “discarded like a dirty rag” by the U.S. government. Former Global Times editor Hu Xijin also welcomed the cuts, celebrating the blow to media that have been critical of China.
For decades, VOA and RFA have reported on human rights violations, government corruption, and press repression in China, North Korea, and beyond. RFA exposed the existence of detention centers in Xinjiang, where China is accused of detaining Uyghur Muslims. VOA’s reports on North Korean defectors and Beijing’s COVID-19 cover-ups have won international recognition.
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Impact on Press Freedom
The funding cuts directly affect the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM), which funds VOA, RFA, and Radio Free Europe (RFE). These outlets reach millions of people worldwide, offering independent journalism in nearly 50 languages.
Former VOA journalist Valdya Baraputri, who lost her job, warned that eliminating these news sources benefits authoritarian governments. “This move allows disinformation to thrive,” she said.
The National Press Club called the cuts a major setback for press freedom. Founded during World War II to counter Nazi propaganda, VOA has been a vital source of information in countries with censored media. Even today, people in China and North Korea access VOA broadcasts using shortwave radios and VPNs.
Global Reactions and Political Debate
In Cambodia, former leader Hun Sen praised Trump’s decision, calling it a “major step toward eliminating fake news.” The move has also fueled a heated political debate in the U.S. The White House defended the order, claiming it saves taxpayers from funding “radical propaganda.”
However, RFA CEO Bay Fang accused Trump of helping dictators by silencing critical journalism. “This decision benefits America’s adversaries at our own expense,” he said.
The Czech Republic has even appealed to the European Union to help keep Radio Free Europe alive, as it reaches millions of people across 27 languages in 23 countries.
The Future of Independent Journalism
The future of VOA, RFA, and RFE remains uncertain. RFA has vowed to challenge Trump’s order, while VOA’s director Michael Abramowitz warned that this move weakens America’s global influence.
Meanwhile, Chinese dissidents and supporters of press freedom fear that with these voices silenced, the world will be left with only state-controlled narratives. As one exiled Chinese activist put it, “If the free world stays silent, the dictator’s voice will be the only echo left.”
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