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USAGM Blocks RFE Broadcasts Amid Iranian Protest Blackout

1/15/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Kari Lake, CEO of the US Agency for Global Media (USAGM), confirmed USAGM blocked Radio Free Europe from using a Kuwait transmitter to broadcast updates on Iranian protests.
Lake said the blockade aimed to avoid sending "mixed messages."
Radio Free Europe resumed shortwave broadcasts into Iran amid a government-imposed blackout.
A bipartisan spending bill would allocate $643 million for USAGM, exceeding the Trump administration's request.

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Story summary

Kari Lake, CEO of the US Agency for Global Media (USAGM), confirmed USAGM blocked Radio Free Europe from using a Kuwait transmitter to broadcast updates on Iranian protests.
Lake said the blockade aimed to avoid sending "mixed messages."
Radio Free Europe resumed shortwave broadcasts into Iran amid a government-imposed blackout.
A bipartisan spending bill would allocate $643 million for USAGM, exceeding the Trump administration's request.