Full Breakdown
Radio Free Asia Resumes Broadcasts to China Amid Funding Challenges
2/18/2026, 4:55:54 AM
Resumption of Broadcasts
On February 17, 2026, Radio Free Asia (RFA) announced the resumption of its broadcasts to China, a move facilitated by private contracting with transmission services. This development comes after significant funding cuts imposed by the Trump administration last year, which had forced the U.S.-funded outlet to halt operations. RFA's president and CEO, Bay Fang, emphasized the importance of providing independent reporting in Mandarin, Tibetan, and Uyghur, stating that these broadcasts represent some of the only independent media available in these regions.
Background on Funding Cuts
RFA and its sister organizations, including Voice of America, were historically financed through funding approved by the U.S. Congress and overseen by the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM). However, in 2025, Kari Lake, appointed by President Donald Trump as acting CEO of USAGM, terminated grants to these outlets, citing alleged waste of taxpayer money and perceived anti-Trump bias. This decision led to mass layoffs and was criticized by many who argued it weakened U.S. influence globally, particularly as China expanded its media reach.
Congressional Support and Future Funding
The resumption of RFA's broadcasts was made possible by a bipartisan spending bill signed into law by Trump earlier in February, which allocated $653 million to USAGM. This amount is a reduction from the $867 million appropriated in previous years but is significantly higher than the $153 million Trump had proposed to shut down the agency. Fang noted that while the current broadcasts are online, there is an intention to resume regular airwave transmissions soon, contingent on receiving consistent congressional funding.
Criticism and Opposition
Critics of the funding cuts have highlighted the potential consequences of diminishing U.S. media presence abroad, particularly in regions where authoritarian regimes, such as China, suppress independent journalism. Rights activists have long praised RFA for its role in exposing human rights abuses, particularly concerning oppressed minorities like China's Uyghur Muslims. The cuts to RFA were seen as a concession to adversaries and a retreat from the U.S.'s commitment to promoting free press.
Official Statements & Responses
Bay Fang stated, "We are proud to have resumed broadcasting to audiences in China... providing some of the world's only independent reporting on these regions in the local languages." Meanwhile, the Chinese embassy in Washington did not respond to inquiries regarding RFA's resumed broadcasts, although Chinese state media had previously lauded the funding cuts.
What's Next
As RFA works to rebuild its broadcasting network, it faces the challenge of securing ongoing funding from Congress to maintain and expand its operations. The outlet has also contracted with private companies to extend its reach to audiences in Tibet, North Korea, and Myanmar, indicating a broader strategy to counteract authoritarian narratives in the region.
