Radio Free Asia halting operations for first time in 29-year-history amid shutdown
Source: The Hill
10/29/25 11:28 PM ET
Radio Free Asia (RFA) announced Wednesday it is pausing operations for the first time in its history, amid the government shutdown and after the Trump administration cut its funding.
In a statement, RFA executive editor Rose Hwang said the stoppage is “due to uncertain funding.” “For RFA journalists who sacrificed so much in defying powerful and malignant forces, it’s an excruciating moment.”
RFA, established in 1996 via the International Broadcasting Act, reaches nearly 60 million people weekly in six countries without a free press: China, Myanmar, North Korea, Cambodia, Vietnam and Laos.
In fiscal 2024, RFA had a budget of $60.8 million. The organization, before furloughs earlier this year, consisted of 400 full-time staff and 500 stringers and contractors. The pause comes amid the ongoing government shutdown, which hit 29 days on Wednesday and is on the verge of becoming the longest funding lapse in U.S. history.
Read more: https://thehill.com/policy/international/5580462-radio-free-asia-halting-operations-shutdown/