Radio Free Europe (RFE), whose funding has been hindered by the Donald Trump administration, announced today that it appears to be receiving money for May.
On May 30, a US district judge granted RFE/RL's request in a lawsuit against the US Agency for Global Media (USAGM), which manages it, and ordered it to immediately pay the May funds to the radio station, which were withheld even though the payment was approved by the US Congress and signed by Trump.
Judge Royce Lambert rejected USAGM's argument that the agency was not obligated to pay the money because other donors allegedly intended to financially support RFE/RL.
The judge had previously ordered RFE/RL to be paid $12 million for April, but on May 7, the Appeals Court panel issued a ruling delaying this, further jeopardizing RFE/RL's already significantly reduced operations. A few hours later, the appeals court ultimately accepted RFE/RL's urgent petition for payment.
The legal battle with USAGM began after Trump issued an executive order on March 14 to downsize USAGM and the broadcasters the agency oversees, including Voice of America and RFE/RL.
RFE/RL continued to broadcast, but drastically reduced expenses, including sending hundreds of employees on forced leave and canceling contracts with part-time contributors.
RFE/RL is a private, independent international news organization whose programs on multiple platforms reach a weekly audience of 50 million people in 23 countries, including Russia, Ukraine, Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and others.
Bonus video:
