Czech Minister Advocates for EU Action in Response to U.S. Funding Cuts to Radio Free Europe
Jan Lipavský voices concerns over U.S. actions affecting crucial broadcasting services during EU foreign ministers' meeting.
PRAGUE – Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavský has announced plans to address the potential implications of U.S. President Donald Trump's recent funding cuts to Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) during an upcoming meeting of European Union foreign ministers in Brussels.
The cuts, which include the suspension of funding for multiple U.S.-funded broadcasters, have raised alarms in the Czech Republic, where RFE/RL is headquartered and has a significant historical legacy dating back to its role in opposing Communist rule in Czechoslovakia prior to 1989.
Speaking on Czech television, Lipavský emphasized the necessity for Europe to engage in a broader political dialogue about the future of RFE/RL, which he described as essential for supporting democratic movements in Eastern Europe and parts of Asia.
He expressed uncertainty regarding the specific measures the EU could adopt but underscored the importance of maintaining broadcasting operations.
The Trump administration's decision to place RFE/RL and other journalists at U.S. media outlets on leave and freeze their funding has been characterized by the White House as a move to streamline federal bureaucracy and eliminate what they term 'radical propaganda'.
In response, RFE/RL President Stephen Capus and various media advocacy groups, including Reporters Without Borders, have condemned the decision, arguing it undermines press freedom commitments historically associated with the United States.
Lipavský referred to RFE/RL as a vital 'beacon' for individuals living under authoritarian regimes, citing its role in providing reliable news coverage in nations like Belarus, Iran, Russia, and Afghanistan.
He also pointed to the potential repercussions of the funding reductions for those in countries where freedom of expression is severely restricted.
Moreover, the cuts have received tacit support from some Trump allies, including U.S. Agency for Global Media adviser Kari Lake, who has described the agency as excessively costly and redundant, claiming anticipated savings could reach $700 million by 2026. Elon Musk, a prominent figure in the Trump administration, also supported the funding freeze, deeming government-backed media outlets as ineffective.
At the European Parliament level, Czech MEP Danuše Nerudová has also expressed intentions to address the future of RFE/RL, indicating a growing concern among European lawmakers regarding the potential impacts of the U.S. funding cuts on media freedom and democracy across the continent.
The cuts, which include the suspension of funding for multiple U.S.-funded broadcasters, have raised alarms in the Czech Republic, where RFE/RL is headquartered and has a significant historical legacy dating back to its role in opposing Communist rule in Czechoslovakia prior to 1989.
Speaking on Czech television, Lipavský emphasized the necessity for Europe to engage in a broader political dialogue about the future of RFE/RL, which he described as essential for supporting democratic movements in Eastern Europe and parts of Asia.
He expressed uncertainty regarding the specific measures the EU could adopt but underscored the importance of maintaining broadcasting operations.
The Trump administration's decision to place RFE/RL and other journalists at U.S. media outlets on leave and freeze their funding has been characterized by the White House as a move to streamline federal bureaucracy and eliminate what they term 'radical propaganda'.
In response, RFE/RL President Stephen Capus and various media advocacy groups, including Reporters Without Borders, have condemned the decision, arguing it undermines press freedom commitments historically associated with the United States.
Lipavský referred to RFE/RL as a vital 'beacon' for individuals living under authoritarian regimes, citing its role in providing reliable news coverage in nations like Belarus, Iran, Russia, and Afghanistan.
He also pointed to the potential repercussions of the funding reductions for those in countries where freedom of expression is severely restricted.
Moreover, the cuts have received tacit support from some Trump allies, including U.S. Agency for Global Media adviser Kari Lake, who has described the agency as excessively costly and redundant, claiming anticipated savings could reach $700 million by 2026. Elon Musk, a prominent figure in the Trump administration, also supported the funding freeze, deeming government-backed media outlets as ineffective.
At the European Parliament level, Czech MEP Danuše Nerudová has also expressed intentions to address the future of RFE/RL, indicating a growing concern among European lawmakers regarding the potential impacts of the U.S. funding cuts on media freedom and democracy across the continent.
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