The United States Agency for Global Media (USAGM) has officially informed Congress of its decision to discontinue the Hungarian Language Service at Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL), ceasing U.S. taxpayer funding for content broadcast in Hungary, a NATO ally.
Kari Lake, the acting CEO of USAGM, sent a formal notification to Mario Díaz-Balart, Chairman of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs. This action complies with section 7015(a) and the International Broadcasting Operations heading outlined in the Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2024, which is extended under the Full-Year Continuing Appropriations Act, 2025.
The notification informed Congress that, after consultation with the Department of State, USAGM would “terminate and cease funding” for the Hungarian Language Service, known as Szabad Europa, at RFE/RL.
According to the document, the administration believes that the initial reasons for introducing Szabad Europa to RFE/RL’s lineup in 2019 no longer align with U.S. national interests. It states that the programming has counteracted former President Trump’s foreign policy by opposing Hungary’s elected Prime Minister, Viktor Orban. The notification emphasizes that Orban leads Hungary, a robust U.S. ally and a member of NATO.
The communication further details that U.S. taxpayer funds will no longer support the creation or distribution of government-funded content to audiences in NATO countries. It asserts that “USAGM will end the use of any and all U.S. taxpayer money for developing or distributing content to the populations of our NATO allies,” and resources will be reallocated to align with the Administration’s priorities rather than funding broadcasts within allied NATO nations.
The notification also highlights that USAGM, along with the Voice of America, the Office of Cuba Broadcasting, and non-federal grantees receiving taxpayer funds, are not intended to serve the interests, policies, or agendas of the European Union or other foreign entities. Instead, they exist solely to serve the American people, and ceasing the Hungarian service is in keeping with this principle.
