Czech Foreign Minister seeks EU support for Radio Free Europe after US funding cuts

The Czech Republic is advocating for European Union support to sustain Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) after recent funding cuts by the Trump administration. Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavský emphasized the broadcaster's critical role in promoting democratic values and providing credible news in regions under oppressive regimes, such as Iran and Belarus. The funding cuts, which the U.S. government claims are part of bureaucratic reductions, have raised alarms among media advocates, including RFE/RL's president, who warned that the termination of support would benefit authoritarian regimes. Lipavský plans to discuss potential EU measures to maintain RFE/RL's operations during an upcoming meeting of EU foreign ministers. He argued that it is in Europe's interest to counter totalitarianism and support free media, which has historical significance in the region. The situation reflects broader concerns about the diminishing role of U.S. support for independent journalism globally.