FLASH NEWS
USAGM cuts off some of REL's Russian-language satellite broadcasts
2025-04-04 18:20:03 / BOTA
The United States Agency for Global Media (USAGM) has terminated contracts with two satellite systems that broadcast Russian-language content produced by Current Time, the network run by Radio Free Europe (RFE/RL).
USAGM is making efforts to gradually shut down a number of US-funded broadcasters.
Current Time said on April 4 that transmissions on the Astra and Eutelsat satellite systems have been suspended, following the decision of the US government agency, which oversees the activities of REL and Voice of America, although Current Time continues to be broadcast on the Hotbird satellite system.
USAGM did not provide any explanation for its decision.
Current Time, which has been declared an "undesirable organization" by Russia's Justice Ministry, said its audience can use other digital means to access its programs, which continue to be produced.
Current Time focuses its work on Russia, Ukraine, Central Asia, Eastern Europe, and other regions.
REL reaches almost 50 million people in countries such as Belarus, China, Iran and Russia, aiming to provide independent and impartial news and information for the 23 countries where it broadcasts in 27 languages.
USAGM's decision to terminate satellite contracts comes three weeks after an executive order signed by former US President Donald Trump, which calls for the downsizing of seven agencies - including USAGM - "to the maximum extent permitted by applicable law."
A few hours after signing this order, USAGM announced the termination of REL funds approved by Congress for the 2025 budget, which ends on September 30.
REL has called this action illegal and is now taking legal action against USAGM.
On March 25, a US court granted REL's request for a temporary restraining order (TRO), ruling that USAGM had acted "arbitrarily and capriciously" in terminating REL's grant.
A day later, USAGM wrote to REL, saying it was reversing the decision, but that this action did not affect USAGM's right to terminate the grant in the future.
REL, which on April 1 was forced to place many of its employees on short-time leave, has said it is still awaiting official confirmation from USAGM on the resumption of funding.
Media rights advocates have called the decision to dismantle USAGM "unacceptable," saying it hands a victory to authoritarian regimes around the world.
The Committee to Protect Journalists warned on April 1 that this move also puts at risk many journalists who have worked for broadcasters like REL.
"Journalists affiliated with USAGM face serious threats, imprisonment and persecution in their own countries for reporting on sensitive political issues," said a letter also signed by PEN America, Reporters Without Borders and other organizations, which called on the US Congress to take "immediate action" to protect journalists who have worked for publicly funded media outlets.
USAGM is an independent agency of the U.S. Government that oversees the broadcast of news and information in nearly 50 languages, reaching approximately 361 million people each week.
The total USAGM budget request for fiscal year 2025 was $950 million, to fund all operations and capital investments.
This includes media outlets such as REL, Voice of America, Radio Free Asia, the Broadcasting Office for Cuba (Radio Marti), the Middle East Broadcasting Networks (MBN), and the Open Technology Fund./ REL
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