IPNEWS: We, the undersigned, reaffirm our support for press freedom and a free media that is able to operate without coercion by, or interference from, government – and call on the United States to protect all reporters and media workers employed by the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM), many of whom face significant personal risk in reporting on and from highly repressive regimes.
For more than 80 years, USAGM entities, which include Voice of America (VOA) and Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL), have played a vital role in reaching audiences living under authoritarian governments, empowering free expression in some of the world’s most dangerous reporting environments. Eliminating these organizations is a significant blow to press freedom – and a gift to autocrats worldwide. Journalists for VOA, RFE/RL, and other affiliates are frequently targeted by authorities in highly censored or dangerous countries.
A March 14 executive order issued by President Donald J. Trump called for USAGM to be “eliminated to the maximum extent consistent with applicable law” as part of ongoing efforts to reduce “the elements of the Federal bureaucracy that the President has determined are unnecessary.” USAGM is a U.S. federal agency whose mandate is drawn from several laws. It oversees broadcast entities including VOA, RFE/RL, the Office of Cuba
Broadcasting, Radio Free Asia, and the Middle East Broadcasting Networks.
Under U.S. law, the editorial operations of USAGM entities are separate from the government to protect editorial independence. It is vital that Congress protect USAGM, ensure the safety of its affiliate journalists, and reaffirm the U.S. government’s commitment to a free and independent media at home and abroad.
Signed by–
European Centre for Press and Media Freedom (ECPMF)
Committee to Protect Journalists
Association for International Broadcasting
Reporters Without Borders (RSF)
Public Media Alliance
The Press Freedom Center at the National Press Club
Arab Reporters for Investigative Journalism
The Bureau of Investigative Journalism
International Press Institute
Forbidden Stories
Radio Television Digital News Association
PEN America
The European Federation of Journalists
Nieman Foundation for Journalism
Pulitzer Center
World Association of News Publishers (WAN-IFRA)
National Press Photographers Association
Society of Professional Journalists
Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press
Freedom of the Press Foundation
Association of Foreign Press Correspondents
Center for Democracy & Technology
Index on Censorship
Free Press
Global Investigative Journalism Network
Global Reporting Centre
International Women’s Media Foundation
