The U.S. government has shut down a satellite that transmitted Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL)‘s Russian-language programming into Russia, the station’s chief announced on Thursday.
RFE/RL, a Prague-based broadcaster originally founded during the Cold War to counter Soviet propaganda, has faced financial uncertainty after U.S. President Donald Trump froze its funding as part of a broader effort to downsize the federal government.
Although RFE/RL secured a temporary restraining order to prevent the funding freeze, the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM)—the organization overseeing its operations—has yet to release the funds.
Satellite Signal Shut Down
RFE/RL CEO Stephen Capus revealed that the team discovered on Thursday morning that satellite services reaching Russia had been switched off by USAGM.
“USAGM notified us that satellite contracts carrying Current Time to Europe were terminated,” Capus told AFP. The shutdown affects the 24-hour Russian-language Current Time channel, which broadcasts not only to Russia but also Ukraine, Central Asia, and Eastern Europe.
Viewers in Russia now see a red screen with the message: “We regret to inform you that the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM) has decided to terminate the distribution of Current Time.”
USAGM has not yet responded to requests for comment.
Impact on Independent Journalism
RFE/RL plays a crucial role in providing unbiased news to audiences in Russia, Belarus, China, Iran, and 20 other countries—regions where state-controlled media dominate. With 1,700 employees broadcasting in 27 languages, the organization reaches nearly 50 million people worldwide.
The satellite shutdown represents a significant blow to independent journalism in the region, with Russian media experts warning that it could further isolate Russian audiences from alternative viewpoints.
