Radio Free Asia

Radio Free Asia (RFA) is a US-funded international broadcaster that transmits news and information to audiences in Asia, particularly in countries with restricted media environments. It, along with Voice of America (VOA) and other outlets, is overseen by the US Agency for Global Media (USAGM). RFA is newsworthy because it recently resumed broadcasts to China after facing near closure due to budget cuts implemented during the Trump administration. These cuts were part of a broader effort to restructure USAGM, led by Kari Lake, whose leadership has since been deemed unlawful by a federal judge. The judge voided mass layoffs and other actions taken during her tenure. The reinstatement of RFA's broadcasts highlights the ongoing importance of independent media in providing information to audiences in China, especially given the current geopolitical climate and information control measures in place.