The Trump administration is facing scrutiny for failing to release nearly $12 million in congressionally approved funding for Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL), a news organization vital for countering propaganda. This delay has led to furloughs and programming cuts amid ongoing legal battles. A federal judge has intervened, emphasizing the organization's public interest, but officials continue to withhold funds. The U.S. Agency for Global Media recently canceled satellite contracts, further jeopardizing RFE/RL's capacity to deliver critical Russian-language news programs. RFE/RL's management urges immediate disbursement for the sake of their journalists on the ground.
The unusual delay in the disbursement has forced the news organization, which relies almost exclusively on congressional funding, to furlough some of its staff and cut parts of its programming.
A federal judge in Washington temporarily halted President Trump's efforts to shut down the news organization, ruling that his administration cannot unilaterally close a news group that Congress established by law.
U.S.A.G.M. sends our April funds immediately, Benjamin Herman, the general counsel of the news group, said in a statement.
The continued operation of RFE/RL is in the public interest.
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