The cost of silence
Why defunding the US Agency for Global Media gutted journalism around the world
When the Trump administration ordered the defunding of Voice of America (VOA) and Radio Free outlets in March 2025, it silenced independent news that reached millions, many in countries where the press is heavily censored. These outlets had won initial legal victories, but recent setbacks have shut many operations down, and the toll on journalism remains devastating.
Here is a look at how the gutting of the U.S. Agency for Global Media—which funds Voice of America, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Radio Free Asia, Radio Marti, Middle East Broadcasting Network, and others—has impacted outlets around the world.
Who is affected?
Thousands of journalists and media workers working on staff, on contract, or as freelancers for USAGM outlets. USAGM funded more than 3,500 individuals through these outlets and operated with a budget exceeding $886 million in 2024.
420 million viewers are at risk of losing, or have lost, trusted reporting and news sources.
Press freedom and human rights groups that depend on USAGM for information on actions taken against journalists, their status in prison and how they were killed. CPJ has documented more than 250 cases in which USAGM has provided this critical information; without it, many details of attacks on journalists will remain unknown.
What does CPJ data show about USAGM journalists and the risks they face?
10
journalists remain in prison.
27
journalists were imprisoned but released.
30
Radio Free journalists may lose visas.
25
journalists killed while working.
10 journalists predominantly in Asia who have worked either for or with VOA and Radio Free outlets remain in prison. These journalists are in greater danger as funding dries up to help improve their conditions in prison and support their families.
27 journalists who have worked either for/with USAGM were imprisoned but released since 1992. This leaves many journalists vulnerable as they may lose the work and security that these outlets provided.
30 Radio Free journalists may lose visas, and many face grave risks if forced to return to their home countries.
25 journalists have been killed while working to provide crucial reporting to their communities and the world since 1992.
‘Reward to dictators’: CPJ stands with thousands of journalists harmed by Trump’s dismantling of VOA, Radio Free outlets
CPJ condemns a Trump executive order issued in March 2025 that resulted in more than 1,300 employees being put on leave at VOA alone, and contract terminations at Radio Free outlets that would effectively end operations, and access to independent news for millions of citizens around the world, creating, as RFA President and CEO Bay Fang put it, “a reward to dictators and despots.”
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