The European Union’s foreign ministers have discussed potential financial support for Radio Free Europe (RFE) following US President Donald Trump’s decision to cut its funding. Journalists and media experts in Kosovo expressed concerns, warning that RFE’s potential shutdown would significantly harm independent journalism.
The US decision to halt funding for RFE has drawn sharp criticism from journalists, activists, and international organizations, who describe it as a direct attack on press freedom and a serious restriction on citizens’ right to independent information.
EU Considers Financial Intervention
EU foreign ministers convened on Monday to discuss possible European support for RFE.
“It is saddening to hear that the US is withdrawing its funding,” said EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Kaja Kallas after the meeting.
“The question for us now is whether we can step in to fill the gap left by the US. The answer is not automatically yes, as we have many organizations coming to us with similar requests,” Kallas added, stating that the EU would assess its options.
President Trump signed an executive order on March 14 to cut funding for the US Agency for Global Media (USAGM), which oversees RFE and Voice of America. Hours later, a letter from USAGM confirmed that the congressionally approved grant for RFE had been terminated.
Czech Republic Pushes for EU Support
The discussion about continued funding from the EU was raised in Brussels at the request of Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavsky, whose country has hosted RFE’s headquarters for nearly three decades.
Diplomatic sources told RFE that Poland and the three Baltic states—Latvia, Estonia, and Lithuania—expressed support for Lipavsky’s proposal, though wider backing within the EU remains uncertain.
Polish Foreign Minister Radek Sikorski emphasized RFE’s historical role, recalling that during communism, RFE and Voice of America were the only sources of reliable information for many in Eastern Europe.
“These institutions continue to provide crucial work in countering authoritarian regimes today,” Sikorski said.
Media Experts in Kosovo React
In Kosovo, media expert Flutura Kusari condemned the funding cut, calling it a serious blow to public information.
“Radio Free Europe is a model of responsible journalism in Kosovo. For years, it has provided the public with well-verified and relevant information,” said Kusari, a legal advisor at the European Centre for Press and Media Freedom.
She stressed that beyond informing the public, RFE has been a critical source for many Kosovo media outlets, which frequently republish its content.
Concerns Over Global Misinformation
As misinformation rises globally, Kusari emphasized that “RFE’s existence and continued operations are essential for accurate public information.”
Kosovo analyst Agon Maliqi also supported the Czech proposal, calling it “completely logical.”
Former RFE Kosovo editor-in-chief Melazim Koci described the US funding cut as a “bitter gift to authoritarian forces worldwide.”
Koci argued that shutting down RFE and Voice of America would be a “tragedy.” He responded to claims that these media outlets had “fulfilled their mission,” stating that they “have been and remain voices of freedom and democracy.”
Broader European and Academic Concerns
University of Pristina journalism professor Milazim Krasniqi echoed these concerns, describing the potential RFE shutdown as “a sign of a changing world.”
Similarly, media professor Remzie Shahini Hoxhaj called it “a dark day for journalism.”
Nezir Kraki, a professor at Paris Est University, emphasized RFE’s decades-long role as “one of the only windows to the outside world” for millions under oppressive regimes.
“We, as Albanians—whether under communist isolation in Albania or Serbian repression in Kosovo—relied on Voice of America and Radio Free Europe for truth and hope,” Kraki said.
He warned that “it is a mistake to think the world no longer needs the democratic voice of America.”
EU Calls for Continued Media Independence
The EU has previously expressed concerns over RFE’s funding cut. EU spokesperson Audia Paula Pinho described RFE and Voice of America as “beacons of truth, democracy, and hope for millions worldwide.”
“In an era of unregulated content and fake news, the journalism and press freedom these media outlets represent are critical to democracy,” she added.
The European Parliament’s liberal Renew Europe group also warned that the US funding cut could erode press freedom in Europe and neighboring regions.
“Historically, RFE has been invaluable in providing impartial news, particularly in countries where press freedom is under threat. The sudden withdrawal of US funding risks weakening this essential role,” the group stated.
