Czech Foreign Minister Plans to Discuss Funding Radio Free Europe with EU

Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavský plans to discuss EU funding for Radio Free Europe (RFE) with European counterparts on March 17, following the Trump administration's decision to cut financial support, Orda reports, citing DW.

The estimated cost to maintain RFE’s operations is €120 million annually.

Czech Interior Minister Vít Rakušan backed the initiative, emphasizing that Trump’s administration is shifting focus to domestic affairs, leaving European nations responsible for independent media in the region.

The funding cut follows a recent executive order by Trump, which included significant budget reductions across seven U.S. agencies, including USAGM, the entity responsible for Voice of America (VOA) and Radio Free Europe.

The White House accused VOA of biased reporting and radical propaganda.

Voice of America employees were placed on paid leave, while Radio Free Europe lost grant funding to support its operations until the end of the year.