Radio Free Europe headquarters in Prague. Photo: Peter Erik Forsberg / Prague / Alamy / Profimedia
The government of Sweden has committed to donate $ 2 million for Free Europe/Radio Liberty Radio, after the administration of US President Donald Trump froze the financing of the broadcaster, the Local notes, according to News.ro.
“After the United States withdrew their support for Radio Free Europe, people in many countries risk not having access to free media,” a government statement said.
It will donate 20 million crowns (about $ 2 million) in 2025 the post based in Prague, it is mentioned in the statement.
Founded by the United States during the Cold War to counteract Soviet propaganda, RFE/RL had an annual budget of $ 142 million in 2024.
In March, Trump froze $ 77 million American financing granted to the broadcaster to reduce government spending, a decision that was challenged in the American court.
RFE/RL reaches almost 50 million people in countries such as Belarus, China, Iran or Russia, trying to counteract the official propaganda in the respective countries. With 1,700 employees and speaking shows in 27 languages in 23 countries, RFE/RL remained operational, the Czech government also intervening to keep it on the waterline.
“The free and independent media are essential for vibrant and prosperous democracies, but I am not something we can make it clear. Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty has long been a key actor in providing facts based on facts where it is the most necessary,” said Minister for European Affairs of Sweden, Jessica Rosencrantz.
The president and general manager of RFE/RL, Stephen Capus, said after Trump's decision that the annulment of the subsidy agreement is “a huge gift made to America's enemies.”
“The Iranian ayatolas, Chinese communist leaders and autocrats from Moscow and Minsk would celebrate the disappearance of RFE/RL after 75 years. Giving our opponents such a victory makes them stronger, and America, said Stephen Capus, the head of Free Europe.
“We have relied on a strong bipartisan support throughout the story history of RFE/RL. Without us, the nearly 50 million people in captive companies that depend on us for exact news and information will not have access to the truth about America and the world,” Capus added.
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