Summarize this content to 2000 words in 6 paragraphs
The head of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty said on Thursday that the U.S. government had switched off a satellite that transmitted its Russian-language program into Russia.
The Prague-based station, founded by the United States during the Cold War to counter Soviet propaganda, has seen its funding frozen by U.S. President Donald Trump amid a drive to slash the size of the federal government.
RFE/RL won a temporary restraining order in court, but the U.S. Agency for Global Media, the U.S. government agency that oversees its operations, has not yet released funding.
“We came into work today and saw that satellite services that reach into Russia had been turned off by USAGM,” RFE/RL chief executive Stephen Capus told AFP.
news
For Russia’s Regional Journalism, RFE/RL’s Closure a ‘Catastrophe’
Read more
The decision affects the 24-hour Russian-language Current Time channel’s broadcasts to Russia, Ukraine, Central Asia, eastern Europe and other regions.
“USAGM notified RFE/RL that satellite contracts carrying Current Time to Europe were terminated,” Capus added.
USAGM did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Capus said that Russian clients were now getting a red TV screen with a sign: “We regret to inform you that U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM) has decided to terminate the distribution of Current Time.”
RFE/RL reaches almost 50 million people in countries including Belarus, China, Iran or Russia, seeking to counter the official propaganda.
Employing 1,700 staff, it broadcasts in 27 languages to 23 countries.
news
‘Today We Celebrate’: Kremlin and Russian Propaganda Rejoice as Trump Guts RFE/RL, VOA
Read more
RFE/RL moved to Prague from Munich in 1995, following the collapse of the Soviet Union.
Capus said the radio had other means of reaching the Russian audience.
“But … this wasn’t the Russian government taking such an action. This was ordered by the USAGM,” he said.
RFE/RL put many staff on reduced-pay leave on Tuesday as it waited for the USAGM to disburse the $77 million the radio needs to keep running until October.
“I don’t think there’s any question that the Trump administration would like to see us shut down. I think that’s pretty clear,” Capus said.
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia’s Prosecutor General’s Office has designated The Moscow Times as an “undesirable” organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a “foreign agent.”
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work “discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership.” We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It’s quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you’re defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Continue
Not ready to support today? Remind me later.
×
Remind me next month
Thank you! Your reminder is set.
We will send you one reminder email a month from now. For details on the personal data we collect and how it is used, please see our Privacy Policy.
