Cuts to Voice of America hailed by Chinese Media as Trump Shifts Funding Priorities

The decision to eliminate public funding for prominent news outlets has sparked controversy, highlighting the tension between U.S. values and foreign relations.

Chinese state media has expressed support for former President Donald Trump's recent cuts to public funding for Voice of America (VOA) and Radio Free Asia (RFA). These outlets, known for their critical reporting on authoritarian regimes, face significant staff reductions, with approximately 1,300 employees at VOA already on paid leave following Trump's executive order. Critics argue that this move undermines democracy, while Beijing’s Global Times celebrated the cuts, labeling VOA as a "dirty rag" discarded by the U.S. government.

The White House justified the decision by claiming it removes taxpayer responsibility for what they term "radical propaganda." The cuts specifically target the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM), which oversees these news organizations and relies on congressional funding. VOA and RFA have achieved international recognition for their dedication to journalism in regions where press freedoms are oppressed, including China, Cambodia, Russia, and North Korea.

Despite governmental censorship in these countries, audiences have found ways to access broadcasts through alternative means. RFA has notably highlighted human rights abuses in Cambodia and was among the first to expose China's detention of Uyghur Muslims. VOA's stringent coverage of North Korean defectors and investigative reporting on the Chinese Communist Party’s handling of COVID-19 has also earned acclaim.

The Global Times editorialized on the cuts, dismissing VOA as a "lie factory" and celebrating the supposed paralysis of the organization. Valdya Baraputri, a VOA journalist who lost her role as a result of the funding cuts, remarked on the implications for balanced reporting and the rise of misinformation channels. The National Press Club criticized the executive order as detrimental to the American commitment to an independent press, echoing concerns voiced across journalist communities.

VOA, founded during World War II to counteract Nazi propaganda, currently reaches around 360 million people weekly in various languages and has served as a pivotal resource for individuals in oppressed regions. Michael Abramowitz, the director of VOA, criticized the funding cuts as a means to enhance the influence of adversarial states like Iran and China, which invest heavily in disinformation efforts.

The reality for many VOA and RFA employees is precarious, with fears of returning to hostile environments where they face persecution for their work. RFA’s corporate leadership has signaled intentions to contest the executive order, underscoring the significant impact of cutting off funding to an organization that provides vital information to millions.

Amidst the celebratory sentiments from Chinese state media, it remains uncertain how citizens within China perceive these developments, given the pervasive censorship of online information. Outside China, long-time listeners of VOA and RFA share concerns and disappointment. Activist Du Wen expressed worries that the silence from the free world would elevate dictatorial voices above those advocating for truth and justice.