Trump Administration's Voice Of America Cuts Hand China And Russia A Win
In a troubling development for global freedom, the Trump administration has moved to dismantle America's international broadcasting networks—a decision that alarmingly undermines our national security and abandons those fighting for liberty across the world.
The legendary institutions being shuttered—Voice of America, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Radio Free Asia, the Office of Cuba Broadcasting, and the Middle East Broadcasting Networks—have served as truth-tellers to millions living under authoritarian regimes in China, Russia, Iran, Cuba, North Korea, and beyond. These networks, operating under the US Agency for Global Media (USAGM), have been essential weapons in America's soft-power arsenal for decades.
When I was privileged to lead the oversight agency for Radio Free Europe and Radio Liberty from 1985 to 1993, I witnessed firsthand how these broadcasts, which were specifically tailored for each country behind the Iron Curtain, provided a critical alternative to the Communist-controlled media, as well as an outlet for clandestine writings of dissidents. When asked about Radio Free Europe's impact in winning the Cold War, Polish freedom fighter Lech Walesa responded with stunning clarity: "What is the earth without the sun?" These weren't merely news outlets—they were lifelines of truth that helped topple Communist regimes across Eastern Europe.
Today's authoritarians understand what's at stake. Beijing erupted in fury when Radio Free Asia exposed its ethnic cleansing of Uyghurs and COVID coverups. Putin and Xi are undoubtedly celebrating these shutdowns. For tyrants, maintaining an information monopoly is crucial to retaining power.
The elimination of these networks, including The Open Technology Fund that helps people circumvent internet censorship, comes at precisely the wrong moment. Our values and security face challenges not seen since the darkest days of the Cold War. While we're drowning in information here at home, millions worldwide struggle to access unfiltered truth—which is why China employs millions to censor its internet.
Yes, these institutions needed fundamental reform. Over recent years, many aspects of these networks seriously lost their way. But obliterating them entirely represents destructive foolishness of the highest order. Once dismantled, these capabilities will prove extraordinarily difficult to rebuild.
During my tenure with RFE/RL, the State Department frequently complained that our broadcasts complicated their diplomacy with Communist governments. That was precisely the point. When authoritarian leaders howl about these broadcasts, it signals their effectiveness.
America must not disarm itself in this critical global battle of ideas. The USAGM and its networks deserve to be revitalized, not eliminated, for the crucial fight that lies ahead.
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