Radio Free Asia (RFA) is facing a significant crisis as it prepares to lay off about 90 percent of its staff and shut down many of its language services. This decision comes after the Trump administration cut off funding, leaving the organization unable to pay its employees. The layoffs will begin next week, leaving many language services inactive.
Bay Fang, the president and CEO of RFA, expressed the gravity of the situation in a statement. She noted that the organization can no longer depend on the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM) to provide the necessary funds as intended by Congress. RFA has been broadcasting since 1996, serving audiences in languages such as Burmese, Cambodian, and Mandarin, and reaching around 60 million listeners weekly.
The funding cuts were initiated by President Trump in March when he ordered USAGM to minimize its operations. This move aimed to reduce what he described as unnecessary government entities. As a result, USAGM has stopped disbursing funds to RFA and other government-funded broadcasters, including Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty and Middle East Broadcasting Networks.
RFA has played a crucial role in reporting on issues in repressive societies, including China’s treatment of ethnic Uyghurs and ongoing conflicts in Myanmar. However, the current situation has led to the near-total shutdown of its operations. Mamatjan Juma, the former director of RFA’s Uyghur language service, lamented the loss of their newsroom, emphasizing that it allows state propaganda to dominate the information landscape.
The cuts have also affected other broadcasters under USAGM. VOA and the Office for Cuba Broadcasting have had to suspend over 1,000 employees, while RFA placed about three-quarters of its staff on unpaid leave.
In April, a federal judge ordered the reinstatement of RFA and MBN’s funds, calling the White House’s actions arbitrary. However, a D.C. appeals court has since put a hold on this order, leaving RFA in a precarious position. As of now, only a small team remains to manage RFA’s significantly reduced programming.
Fang described the current state of affairs as one of the most challenging times in her career. The situation has left many dedicated employees feeling a deep sense of loss, as they view their work as vital to shining a light on issues in the regions they cover.