The singular, vital reporting of Radio Free Asia
RFA has been crucial in uncovering stories in China, where the regime has intensified its crackdown on independent media in recent years and at least 120 journalists are currently behind bars.RFA was the first to alert the world to themass incarcerations of Uyghurs and kept the world informed about human rights violations in Tibet, despite the Chinese-controlled territory’sreputation as an information black hole.
RFA journalists report from around the world, often risking their lives and freedom to keep the public informed. Three Vietnamese freelance journalists who worked with the outlet are currently detained:Truong Duy Nhat,sentenced to10 years in prison in 2020; Nguyen Tuong Thuy,sentenced to 11 years in prison in 2021**;**and **Nguyen Lan Thang,**sentenced to6 years in custody in 2023.
Since 1996,Radio Free Asia has been providing reliable, independent local news on a weekly basis to millions of readers who lack access to free press. Their reporters cover a wide range of topics — many of which are censored in state propaganda media, which dominate certain countries where the outlet operates — in 9 local languages, including Chinese, Uyghur, Tibetan and Vietnamese. Even though repressive regimes often try to block public access to the outlet,RFAexperiencedhistoric growth in online engagement in 2024, amassing 257 million website views, a nearly 20 per cent increase from 2023.
Donald Trump’s executive order also dismantled the USAGM-funded, editorially independent outletVoice of America (VOA). On 21 March, RSF joinedVOA employees and their unions in filing alegal complaint against the USAGM as well as USAGM Senior Advisor Kari Lake and Acting CEO Victor Morales.