Paris, France – President Donald Trump’s dismantling of US-funded international media outlets such as Voice of America could put their journalists at risk, including nine currently jailed worldwide, Reporters Without Borders warned Monday.
He said the decision “betrays” the nine USAGM journalists jailed in Azerbaijan, Belarus, Myanmar, Russia and Vietnam and “leaves thousands more jobless and in danger” because of their work.
USAGM oversees media including Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, set up by Washington during the Cold War to counter Soviet propaganda, and Radio Free Asia, created to provide reporting to China, North Korea and other countries with heavily restricted press.
Partner public media organizations in Europe also voiced alarm over Trump’s funding freeze.
“This move threatens to deprive millions of people worldwide of a vital source of balanced and verified information — especially in countries where independent journalism is scarce or nonexistent,” said France Medias Monde and Germany’s in a statement.
“This action is particularly concerning given the United States’ long-standing role as a champion of press freedom.”
