Radio Free Asia (RFA) has faced significant cutbacks and shutdowns of several of its language services. This began around March 2025 when a U.S. presidential executive order called for the reduction of the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM), which funds RFA and other international broadcasters.
As a result:
Mass Layoffs: RFA announced mass layoffs, affecting a large portion of its U.S.-based workforce and some overseas positions.
Language Service Closures: Several major language services have ceased or are ceasing operations, including:
Tibetan
Burmese
Uyghur (notable as it was the world’s only independent Uyghur-language news service)
Lao
Cantonese (ceased operations on July 1, 2025)
English service and Asia Fact Check Lab also ceased operations.
Funding Disputes: The cuts followed a dispute over funding between RFA and USAGM, despite a court order that temporarily reinstated funding. The Justice Department appealed this ruling, allowing USAGM to continue withholding funds.
RFA’s President and CEO, Bay Fang, expressed deep regret over the situation, highlighting the loss of journalists who covered critical issues in authoritarian regions. The move has been criticized by various groups, who argue it undermines USeless soft power and benefits China who seek to control information.
