Al Hurra TV Channel Fires Staff, Ceases Programming Amid Funding Cuts

The head of Al Hurra, a U.S.-funded Arabic-language television and online news outlet, announced significant layoffs and a reduction in programming, attributing these cuts to funding restrictions imposed by the Trump administration and Elon Musk. Jeffrey Gedmin, Al Hurra's chief, expressed frustration over the lack of communication from Kari Lake, who oversees U.S. government-funded media, and accused her of deliberately withholding necessary funds. All staff received termination notices, marking Al Hurra as the latest casualty among U.S.-backed news organizations suffering from budget cuts. Gedmin's statements highlighted a broader trend of financial difficulties among similar outlets, including Voice of America and Radio Free Europe. The White House has not commented on the accusations or the funding situation. Al Hurra claims an audience of 30 million across the Middle East and North Africa.