7 hours agoEU: Banning REL's work would benefit only those who spread dividers
Periskopi(a year ago)
(a year ago)The Office of the European Union in Kosovo has said on Thursday it recognises fully the essential role of Radio Europe Free in promoting reliable and accurate journalism in Kosovo and the Western Balkans. “The dedication of Radio Europe Free for Truth and Independent Reporting is essential in complex areas [...]
The Office of the European Union in Kosovo has said on Thursday it recognises fully the essential role of Radio Europe Free in promoting reliable and accurate journalism in Kosovo and the Western Balkans.
“The dedication of Radio Europe Free for Truth and Independent Reporting is essential in regions with complex political situation, for strengthening communities and strengthening democratic values. By halting her work would benefit only those who spread divisive ravages, further accommodating the balance in favour of deinformation”, EU Office in Kosovo spokeswoman Ioanna lachana has said.
On March 14th, US President Donald Trump signed an executive order aimed at major cuts in seven federal agencies including the United States Global Media Agency (USAGM), which oversees Radio Free Europe and other federal broadcasters.
The US Global Media Agency is the independent government agency, which monitors media broadcasting in almost 50 languages and extends to 361 million people on a weekly basis.
These include the media: Radio Free Europe, Voice of America, Radio Free Asia, Broadcasting for Cuba (Radio Marty), Transmitter Network for the Middle East and Open Technology Fund.
A few hours after Trump's decision, U officials The SAGM has shut down the Voice of America and Broadcasting for Cuba while cutting off grants for Radio Free Europe and other agencies.
Free Europe Radio has indicted USAGM 18th, as well as agency officials, Carey Lake and Victor Morales, to prevent their efforts to cut off REL federal funding.
The indictment argues that denying funds approved by Congress for the REL violates federal laws and the US Constitution, which gives Congress exclusive authority over federal spending.
Meanwhile, European Union politicians are continuing efforts for possible support for Radio Free Europe, amid concerns that the closure of this broadcaster could be a blow to pro-democracy media.
The German Embassy in Kosovo has told Free Europe Radio that this media is <x0feener of free and impartial reporting” for more than seven decades across Europe and beyond.
“Sic has stressed [EU High Representative Kaya] Kallas, the EU is currently exploring opportunities to support the REL's important work. This, too, speaks of REL's contribution to democracy and promotion of reliable information worldwide”, the German Embassy in Pristina has said.
A day earlier, world-renowned organisations have issued a joint statement expressing support for freedom of speech and media, and have called on the United States to protect journalists and other workers employed by USAGM, as many face personal risks because of reporting from and very oppressive regimes.
For more than 80 years, USGM entities, including the Voice of America and Radio Free Europe (REL) have played a vital role in pretending to audiences living under oppressive governments and empowering free expression in some of the most dangerous environments for reporting. Eliminating these organisations is a major blow to media freedom and a gift to autocrats in the world”, it is said in the joint statement.
The budget he has requested USGM from the U.S. Congress for fiscal Year 2025 has been $950m to finance all operations and capital investments. / REL/Periscopi/
