Kyrgyz President Backs Musk's Call to Defund Voice of America and Radio Liberty

Billionaire Elon Musk has proposed shutting down the US government-funded media projects Voice of America and Radio Liberty, Orda reports.

Musk claims that considerable amounts of money are allocated from the budget for these projects, but the audience remains insignificant.

In an interview with Kabar, Kyrgyz President Sadyr argued that traditional radio stations have become obsolete in an instant information-sharing era. He suggested that U.S. media funding could be used more effectively elsewhere.

In his criticism of Azattyk (Radio Liberty's Kyrgyz service), Japarov challenged their practices regarding disinformation and retractions.

Earlier, 20-30 years ago, people listened to Azattyk and believed it. Because there was no internet back then. Now people don't need Azattyk news. Everyone gets their information via the internet. In addition, our people have learned to analyze and not to believe everything. For example, when Azattyk spreads distorted information that tarnishes someone's reputation, people start to analyze. And when it turns out that it's not true, people ask: 'Why are you spreading disinformation?' And then they delete the news from their website and say: 'Sorry.' And if you sue them, they start shouting to the whole world: 'Freedom of speech is dead here!' Is that normal? Sadyr Japarov said.

The Kyrgyz president aligned himself with Musk and President Donald Trump's position on USAID.

Original Author: Artyom Volkov