In a move that has been welcomed by China and Cambodia, former US President Donald Trump has decided to defund US-funded media outlets. The decision has been met with praise from Beijing, which has long been critical of Western media reporting on China.
According to reports, Trump’s decision is part of his sweeping cuts to federal government spending. The move is expected to affect several US-funded media outlets, including Voice of America, Radio Free Asia, and Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty.
China has praised Trump’s decision, saying that the outlets have a “notorious history” of reporting on China. Cambodia’s autocratic former leader has also hailed the move, saying it will help combat “fake news”.
However, argue that the move will undermine press freedom and have a chilling effect on journalism globally. The outlets affected by the decision provide vital news and information to people living in authoritarian regimes, where access to independent media is limited.
The decision has also raised concerns about the impact on US credibility and influence abroad. The US-funded media outlets have long been seen as a symbol of American commitment to press freedom and democracy.
As the situation continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how the decision will affect the global media landscape and the flow of information to people living in authoritarian regimes.
