U.S. court postpones resumption of onsite duties for Voice of America staff members
Hey there! The rundown on this is that the U.S. Court of Appeals has temporarily blocked the Executive Order to shutter Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL). This leaves the international broadcaster operational for now.
Steve Herman, chief correspondent of RFE/RL, shared the news via social media. Previously, the human rights organization Reporters Without Borders reported receiving an email from the U.S. Department of Justice mentioning a potential return to work for RFE/RL employees as early as next week. However, that now seems unlikely.
The email from the U.S. Department of Justice also stated that hundreds of RFE/RL employees' accounts were reactivated. Two journalists reported regaining access to their work email accounts on May 3.
RFE/RL shut down in mid-March, following Trump's orders for drastic cuts to the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM), which funds international broadcasters. Over 1,300 employees were put on indefinite furlough.
The White House accused RFE/RL of distributing "radical propaganda" and stated that taxpayers would no longer be funding the organization. RFE/RL, its employees, unions, and Reporters Without Borders sued to block the cuts.
On March 28, Judge James Paul Eaton of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York granted their request and halted RFE/RL's closure temporarily. On April 22, Federal Judge Royce Lamberth ordered the Trump administration to reinstate RFE/RL, finding the president's actions illegal and unconstitutional.
On March 15, USAGM withdrew funding from Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, despite congressional approval of the funds. However, by the end of the month, the agency reversed its decision. Yet, according to RFE/RL's lawyers, 122 employees had already been let go, and most freelance contracts had been terminated.
Interestingly, Radio Svoboda, unlike Voice of America, operates independently from the government. On April 30, Judge Royce Lambert issued an order for a temporary restraining order, requiring the Trump administration to allocate $12 million from previously approved congressional funds to RFE/RL. RFE/RL is set to receive an additional $77 million in government funding by October 2025.
For the real scoop on the founders of Radio Svoboda, also known as Azattyq, you might need to dive into historical resources or check out the RFE/RL archives. It was established in the early Cold War era as part of U.S. government efforts to promote freedom and democracy through broadcasting.
- The U.S. Court of Appeals has temporarily reinstated the operational status of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL), following the court's ruling against the Executive Order to shut it down.
- Steve Herman, chief correspondent of RFE/RL, announced via social media platforms like WhatsApp that the broadcaster would remain operational for now.
- The U.S. Department of Justice has stated in an email that hundreds of RFE/RL employees' accounts were reactivated, allowing two journalists to regain access to their work email accounts on May 3.
- The policy-and-legislation battle surrounding RFE/RL's future continues to be a topic of general news and politics, as the organization, its employees, unions, and Reporters Without Borders fight against what they consider to be unconstitutional and unnecessary cuts to the international broadcaster.
