Trump’s cuts in US foreign broadcasters: “Freedom weakened, autocracy strengthened”

As a result, the Federal Agency, which has previously been supported with $ 950 million annually, must drastically shut down its programs, including Voice of America and Radio Free Europe.

Peter Limbourg said that the wave had already expected such actions by US President Donald Trump after the experience in his first presidency, but now surprised the “rapid and speed” of the decisions.

“There is a vacuum that we cannot fill up,” said Limbourg. The transmitter operated by the USAGM according to its own information reaches around 420 million people in 63 languages ​​and more than 100 countries per week.

A third of range is lost

If the program is discontinued, according to Limbourg, a third of the range will be lost for which the US stations concerned stand in the network of the International Media Organization DGB, which also includes DW, BBC World Service or France Médias Monde. For Peter Limbourg, the consequence is dramatic: “Freedom is weakened, autocracy is strengthened.” Limbourg emphasized the solidarity of the German wave with all those affected at the USAGM, “which are now being put on the street”.

The director pointed out how closely the cooperation of the wave with the US stations. The Russian-speaking broadcaster “Current Times” works together as well as the DW US satellites can be used for the distribution of their programs, for example, in Afghanistan or radio frequencies for DW radiation in Russia.

The autocrats would also have significantly expanded their ability to block unwanted media, especially on the Internet – in order to overcome these blockages, investments in new, improved technology are needed. “Trump actually knows what he is doing when he advocates the interests of the autocrats?” Asked Limbourg. Politics must react.

Europe, i.e. the EU, now has to do something and find an answer to the question: where and how do we want to be perceived? Europe is actually strong enough to stick to it. Deutsche Welle currently has an annual budget of 410 million euros financed from tax funds. Director Limbourg can imagine an growth in the context of current developments.

Czech Republic wants to help

Limbourg did not say how much more the upcoming Federal Government of the DW must make available to the upcoming Federal Government, but the goal is clear: If the tasks are expanding, the budget of the German broadcasting station must also grow. “This is necessary in the self -interest of Germany.”

In any case, the Czech Republic has already announced that it wants to continue the broadcaster Radio Free Europa/Radio Liberty based in Prague should come to an end. However, this was also made clear by the Czech government, a continuation of transmission operations can only be conceivable with EU support.

Limbourg also catches the eye for Deutsche Welle. This had already been expanded during Trump’s first presidency, accordingly the demand for DW news had increased. “More is possible and probably also necessary.”

As fatal as it is how much the previous principle of the checks and balances is corrupted by the Trumpsche, as little of it is the attitude of DW director Peter Limbourg, as he postulated with a view to the upcoming challenges: “Never Surrender.”