Radio Free Asia Stops News Operations Due to Funding Cuts

Announcing the move, staff at the outlet said ‘authoritarian regimes are already celebrating’ its potential demise.

Radio Free Asia (RFA) will cease news operations due to financial difficulties exacerbated by funding cuts under President Trump and the ongoing US government shutdown. President and CEO Bay Fang announced the suspension of news content production and the closure of overseas bureaus, citing unlawful termination of RFA’s funding in March. RFA’s executive editor warned that authoritarian regimes are celebrating RFA’s potential demise, marking a risk to independent journalism. Meanwhile, sister publication RFE/Radio Liberty continues its services but is facing its own funding challenges.