< IMG SRC = "/Uploads/Blogs/15/Eb/IB-FRE0EG51D_237C6FC9.jpg" Alt = "in the European Parliament discuss the future of Radio Liberty"/> ~ ~ ~ < P > The plenary session of the European Parliament has opened in Strasbourg, one of the topics of discussion is the future of Radio Liberty. The participants of the session were the EU Supreme Representative Kai Callas. Former prem & Rsquo; Emeru-Minister of Estonia has been in defense and support of the broadcaster that is on the verge of closing.
< p > Callas noted that for 70 years, Radio Liberty had done exactly what stood on the agenda in the European Union and what they talked about, namely & ndash; Free Europe and the value of freedom.
< p >& laquo; they spread hope for those under tight control of the state media and censorship. They did it in two ways: first, they reported news to the countries where the authorities censored the press; Secondly, they acted through cross-reports. This means that & hellip; They told the Poles what the Hungarians were doing. And the Estonians & ndash; What are the Kazakhs prepared for. And for 70 years, these two methods, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty journalists have enabled the listeners to make a conscious choice to know that they have freedom of choice and that their will has meaning & raquo ;, & ndash; indicated the head of European diplomacy.
< p > last week, March 27, President and CEO of Radio Liberty Stephen Capus said that the USA Global Media (USAGM) decision to withdraw its letter of termination of the grant agreement with RFE/RL is a encouraging sign that the organization is able to continue. Despite this announcement, money to the central office of the media corporation in Prague as of early April has not yet been received, causing some of the staff to be sent on partially paid vacation.
< p >US Agency with Global Media (USAGM) on March 26 reported the cancellation of the decision to terminate the grant agreement for RFE/RL for 2025 Financial Year.
< P > This decision was received the next day after the decision of the Federal Judge of the Colombi Lambert District, who granted the petition < P > The claim concerned the termination of financing worth about $ 77 million, which was approved by US Congress.< P > Directive on termination of financing with & Rsquo; appeared a few hours after US President Donald Trump has signed a decree to reduce seven agencies, including USAGM, & laquo; < P > RFE/RL Grant was terminated by a letter signed by Carey Lake, which indicated her position as & laquo; senior counselor. USAGM Executive Director with powers delegated Executive Director & raquo;. The letter stated that the grant is selected & laquo; no longer meets the priorities of the agency & raquo;. No more explanations were provided.
< p > Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) & ndash; It is a private, independent international information organization whose programs cover almost 50 million people in 23 countries, including Russia, Ukraine, Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, the Republic of Central Asia and the Caucasus every week. Funded by US Congress through the US Agency for International Development (USAGM).