We had arranged to visit the headquarters of RadioFreeEurope-Radio Liberty across town, which was still open only because of a court challenge to the Trump administration’s decision to take away its congressionally appropriated funding.
What these journalists have in common – apart from their courage and determination to report on authoritarian abuses – is that they all worked for the US Congress-funded broadcaster RadioFreeEurope/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) before their detention.
EU officials say the broadcaster for years has played an important role providing news to areas where the press can't operate freely. (Image credit. OmarHavana) ....
The European Union said it would provide short-term financing for RadioFreeEurope, but the amount falls short of what the news outlet says it needs to stay afloat ... .
The emergency funding would not cover RadioFreeEurope across the globe, but only in select European and Asian countries. The pro-democracy outlet's funds were cut off by the Trump administration ... .