The Russian service of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty has ceased broadcasting as a result of financial difficulties and political decisions
Recently, a turning point has occurred for the Russian editorial office of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, one of the key media organizations owned by the international Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty network. Due to significant financial constraints and the influence of U.S. government agencies, the broadcasting of the Russian-language service has effectively been halted, causing substantial resonance in media and socio-political circles. The main reason for the cessation of transmissions was the decision by the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM)—the entity responsible for funding and supporting international broadcasters—to terminate the contract with the satellite operator that provided Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty programs on the Eutelsat Hotbird 13G satellite. This led to disruptions in the Russian-language broadcasts as transmission on this platform was stopped. A large portion of the audience, accustomed to following news via satellite, is now deprived of the opportunity to receive information in a convenient format. According to sources close to the editorial office, the primary cause of these problems was severe financial instability. As a result, broadcasts on the medium wave frequency 1386 kHz were temporarily suspended. Representatives of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty emphasize that they are currently seeking additional funds and trying to secure financing to resume broadcasting on this frequency, since for many Russian-speaking listeners, this channel remains the main source of independent information. Overall, the situation is complicated by ongoing legal proceedings in the Federal District Court of Washington regarding the funding of international media organizations. The media organization Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, in its report, calls on USAGM to transfer the already approved amount of approximately 62 million dollars—allocated for activities in the 2025 fiscal year. The demand is related to the fact that without this funding, the cessation of broadcasts and the closure of the Russian service are highly likely. The background of the conflict and political decisions go deep. On March 14, U.S. President Donald Trump signed a decree abolishing the existence of the U.S. Agency for Global Media—the body responsible for supporting and funding Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty and Voice of America. This decision has sparked widespread reactions in countries that value freedom of speech and independent media coverage. In response to these events and considering the potential loss of financial support, European Union diplomat Kaja Kallas stated that the EU does not have an automatic mechanism to finance Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty but is ready to explore the situation and assist in finding alternative solutions to support the project and ensure its future operation. She emphasized that independent media are an essential component of a democratic society, especially amid informational challenges and propaganda. U.S. jurisdictional authorities also did not remain indifferent. On March 19, the media corporation RFE/RL filed a lawsuit in the Federal Court of Washington against the Trump administration and agency director Kari Lake. The plaintiffs demand to protect their legal rights and prevent the full-scale destruction of educational and informational activities through the decision to cut funding, which threatens their ability to deliver objective and independent news to the audience. Thus, the situation surrounding the Russian service of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty exemplifies how political decisions and financial difficulties can directly impact freedom of speech and access to independent information in countries striving to uphold democratic values and informational openness. At the same time, these events highlight the importance of international support and active civic engagement in the fight for the right to truth and freedom of speech on a global scale.