Trump Closes Door on Voice of America

In a shocking move last week, President Donald Trump effectively terminated the Voice of America (VOA) after 83 years of operation. This decision was executed through an executive order that dismantled seven government entities, including the U.S. Agency for Global Media, which oversees VOA. This drastic shift has left over 1,300 journalists, producers, and support staff in limbo, halting a broadcasting service originally founded during World War II to counteract Nazi propaganda.

Amid the fallout, state-controlled media in Russia and China expressed enthusiasm over this development. The Global Times, a Chinese state-run newspaper, labeled VOA as a "lie factory," while RT (Russia Today) editor Margarita Simonyan praised Trump's "awesome decision." While VOA’s broadcasts have been silenced and its online presence shut down, Russia's RT and China's CCTV continue to flourish unhindered.

RT – Russia's Government-Backed News Channel

RT, formerly known as Russia Today, has faced significant backlash following the Kremlin's invasion of Ukraine in 2022, being barred from broadcasting in the European Union, the UK, and Canada. Major social media platforms, including Meta, YouTube, and TikTok, swiftly followed suit, blocking access to both RT and its affiliate, Sputnik, in the EU.

Under the Biden administration, RT has come under scrutiny for alleged involvement in "information operations" and political influence abroad. A recent intelligence report revealed that RT has established networks of Western personalities to propagate pro-Russian narratives, particularly during the run-up to the 2020 presidential election.

Funding for RT is notably substantial, with approximately $360 million received from the Russian government in 2020.

CCTV – China's State-Run Global Broadcaster

CCTV, operating under the umbrella of the China Global Television Network (CGTN), serves as China's primary state-funded international broadcaster. The network disseminates news in various languages—English, Spanish, French, Arabic, and Russian—in an effort to propagate China's strategic messaging across the globe. It operates under the direct supervision of the Central Propaganda Department of the Chinese Communist Party.

Although precise funding figures remain closely guarded, it was reported that Beijing allocated $6.6 billion in 2018 to bolster its foreign-language media initiatives, which include CGTN.

BBC World Service – Standing Strong Amid Cuts

Contrasting the fate of VOA, the BBC World Service continues to provide international news across more than 40 languages to an estimated audience of 365 million. However, the service faced severe budget cuts in 2025, raising alarms regarding its capacity to counter disinformation campaigns from state-funded outlets like those in Russia and China.

Fortunately, the UK government has responded by increasing funding to the World Service by approximately $42 million for the 2025/26 financial year. The service is primarily funded through a license fee paid by British viewers, along with additional government grants. BBC executives are advocating for full state funding to ensure its sustainability in this global information battle.

Other Global Broadcasters in the Mix

- **Deutsche Welle (DW)**: Germany's international broadcaster operates in 32 languages, striving to present unbiased news and promote cultural understanding. Its funding comes from the German federal budget, with around $447 million allotted in 2024.

- **France 24**: This network delivers global news in multiple languages, attracting an average of 101.7 million viewers weekly in 2022. France 24 is part of France Médias Monde, which received approximately $331 million in state subsidies in 2024.

- **Al Jazeera**: Established in 1996 in Qatar, Al Jazeera has emerged as a significant player in global media, particularly in Middle Eastern affairs. Initially funded by a government loan of $150 million, the network now conducts extensive coverage across various languages.

With the closure of VOA, there are serious concerns about the diminishing voices of independent journalism in the face of growing state-controlled media globally. As countries like Russia and China expand their media presence, the battle for truth and transparency in information has entered a critical phase.