Radio Free Asia to Cease Operations Amid Funding Crisis

Strategic Insights -

Bay Fang, the president and CEO of Radio Free Asia (RFA), a U.S. government-funded nonprofit that provides news and investigations in the region, announced in a statement that the organization will stop publishing Friday amid a funding crisis caused by the Trump administration and cemented by congressional inaction. The funding crisis has been exacerbated by the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM) under Trump administration official Kari Lake, who has sought to dismantle Voice of America and cut off funding to nonprofit grantees including RFA. RFA will start closing down its bureaus across Asia, laying off furloughed staff and paying severance.

Key Takeaways:

  • RFA will cease operations due to a funding crisis brought on by the Trump administration and congressional inaction.
  • The U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM) under Kari Lake has cut off funding to nonprofit grantees including RFA.
  • RFA will close down its bureaus across Asia, lay off furloughed staff, and pay severance.
  • The organization had 400 full-time employees and 460 contractors before the forthcoming layoffs.
  • After the layoffs, RFA will maintain a staff of fewer than 30 people.
  • RFA has continued to publish articles but at a much less frequent clip than in prior years.
  • The organization had to make deep cuts to its ranks given the uncertainty of future funding.
  • In May, RFA laid off 280 staffers in the United States, 80 percent of its domestic workforce, and 20 overseas.
  • RFA has passed its audits with "flying colors" and has been paying earned severance to its furloughed reporters and staff.
  • Remaining resources will sustain the organization until consistent and reliable funding can be restored.

Statistics:

  • 400 full-time employees and 460 contractors before the forthcoming layoffs
  • 280 staffers in the United States and 20 overseas laid off in May
  • 80 percent of RFA's domestic workforce laid off
  • Fewer than 30 staff members remaining after the layoffs
  • Tens of millions of dollars disbursed to RFA by USAGM

Sources:

  • Scott Nover, Radio Free Asia to Cease Operations Amid Funding Crisis, Radio Free Asia
  • Bay Fang, RFA President and CEO, statement
  • U.S. Agency for Global Media, www.mfa.gov
  • The Washington Post, Trump administration's move to cut funding for Radio Free Asia cheered by Chinese state media
  • RFA, Statement on Layoffs
  • Bay Fang, RFA President and CEO, email to The Post