Chinese state media have reacted positively to the de facto shutdown of Voice of America and Radio Free Asia due to U.S. budget cuts. This development ends over 80 years of uncensored news in China. Commentary from media figures highlights the view that U.S.-funded outlets were effectively tools of American propaganda, with implications for press freedom and independent journalism in the region.

Chinese state media have celebrated the de facto closure of the Voice of America (VOA) and Radio Free Asia (RFA), attributing it to recent budget cuts by the Trump administration. The Global Times, known for its nationalistic viewpoints, critiqued VOA as a “carefully crafted propaganda machine,” indicating that the U.S. government has discarded the network like a “dirty rag.” This shift signifies the end of over 80 years of uncensored news broadcasts aimed at the Chinese audience.

Further comments from former Global Times editor Hu Xijin described the dismantling of these outlets as “really gratifying.” Nury Vittachi, a writer based in Hong Kong, expressed that these organizations influenced opinions globally with pro-American narratives while disparaging rivals like China and Russia. Such sentiments reflect a consensus among pro-China commentators who view the closure as a positive outcome.

The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Mao Ning, while not directly addressing domestic U.S. policies, labeled VOA a “lie factory” with a problematic record regarding its coverage of China. VOA and RFA have long challenged the Chinese Communist Party by reporting on sensitive issues such as Taiwan and the Uighur minority, making them significant adversaries.

Originating in World War II, VOA targeted Chinese audiences early in its establishment and has grown to broadcast in 49 languages, reaching a vast audience of approximately 361 million worldwide. RFA, launched in 1996, operated through a network of local contacts, providing insights into areas otherwise inaccessible to Western reporting, like Tibet and Xinjiang.

Experts note the unique role of RFA and VOA in delivering information to audiences within China via traditional broadcast methods. Bethany Allen from the Australian Strategic Policy Institute emphasized that their broadcasts provided essential independent information to individuals unable to navigate complex online censorship, particularly given recent legal restrictions on circumvention tools in China.

RFA garnered notable attention in 2017 when it was the first to report on the detention of Uighur Muslims in Xinjiang, with subsequent notable coverage leading to Pulitzer Prizes awarded for reporting on this issue. David Bandurski from the China Media Project remarked on the exceptional nature of RFA’s coverage of underreported stories in China, while noting VOA’s historical influence on Chinese journalism.

The Trump administration’s efforts to eliminate the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM), which oversees VOA and RFA, culminated in the placement of around 1,300 VOA employees on leave. Critics argue that Trump has relentlessly attacked publicly funded U.S. media for perceived liberal bias, reflecting broader tensions between press freedom advocates and government officials. This shift has raised concerns not only about the future of both networks but also about broader media freedoms.

Despite widespread condemnation of Trump’s move to dismantle USAGM, the networks have also faced criticism for inconsistencies in journalistic standards. Discussions around the professionalism within VOA have surfaced, highlighting issues of bias among its leadership and hiring practices concerning its Chinese department’s personnel.

Former VOA journalist Tracy Wen Liu disclosed that internal complaints regarding a lack of professionalism among Chinese-language reporters were met with obstructive promotions, implicating a broader systemic issue within the network. Liu criticized the selection strategies as increasingly biased, suggesting a decline in the organization’s journalistic integrity at a pivotal moment.

The closure of the Voice of America and Radio Free Asia has elicited positive reactions from state media in China, marking a significant change in the landscape of uncensored news broadcasting in the country. The shutdown, largely attributed to U.S. budget cuts under the Trump administration, raises vital concerns regarding press freedoms and governmental influence over media. While criticisms of the networks’ journalistic standards persist, the dismantling of these organizations signifies a major shift in how information reaches audiences in China, potentially stifling independent reporting within the nation.

Original Source: www.aljazeera.com

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