On April 1, 2025, a coalition of 36 human rights groups, spearheaded by Reporters Sans Frontières (RSF), urged the U.S. Congress to act swiftly in shielding journalists linked with the United States Agency for Global Media (USAGM). This plea comes in the wake of an executive order that has put many journalists at risk of imprisonment or deportation.
The coalition’s statement warns of the grave consequences faced by journalists following the dismantling of USAGM by President Donald Trump on March 14. They expressed concern over the safety of foreign journalists at USAGM-funded outlets like Voice of America, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, and Radio Free Asia, highlighting the real threat of persecution should they return to their home nations.
Amid the turmoil, RSF revealed that 11 USAGM journalists are currently imprisoned across various countries, with notable cases including five in Vietnam and one facing a fifteen-year sentence on terrorism charges. Additionally, the coalition noted that at least 84 journalists on US work visas are confronted with potential deportation.
The recommendations presented to Congress include advocating for the State Department to secure the release of detained journalists, fast-tracking immigration applications, and suspending the 30/60-day visa rule affecting terminated employees. Furthermore, they called for congressional hearings to further investigate this pressing issue and assert the necessity of legal protections for vulnerable journalists.
Notably, RSF reported that the U.S. has now dropped to 55th in the RSF World Press Freedom Index for 2024, a ten-spot decline from the previous year. Thibaut Bruttin, RSF’s Director General, emphasised the urgent need for Congressional responsibility: “It is outrageous that these journalists, who risk their lives to expose the extent of repression in their home countries, might be completely abandoned.”
A coalition of 36 human rights organisations, led by RSF, has urged the U.S. Congress to protect USAGM journalists after an executive order dismantled the agency, exposing them to risks of imprisonment and deportation. They have reported that 11 journalists are currently imprisoned worldwide and 84 face potential deportation. The coalition has recommended swift Congressional actions to safeguard these journalists.
The coalition’s call for urgent Congressional intervention highlights a critical juncture for USAGM journalists, exposing the threats they face in their line of work. With ongoing imprisonments and potential deportations, the urgency for legal protections and resources becomes paramount. The U.S. Congress is urged to uphold its commitment to democracy and press freedom by taking immediate action to protect these journalists.
Original Source: mediaindia.eu
