On 2 May 2025, Radio Free Asia (RFA) announced it would lay off over 280 staff members—around 90% of its US-based workforce—along with approximately 20 positions overseas. This decision was a result of President Trump’s executive decision to reduce funding for seven federal agencies, including the U.S Agency for Global Media (USAGM)— which oversees RFA, Voice of America (VOA), and several other media. Additionally, RFA stated that it will be shutting down several of its language services due to financial difficulties.
On 9 May 2025, RFA announced the permanent closure of its Myanmar-language program, which had been operating since 1997. The program covered significant moments in Burma’s history, including the 2007 “Saffron Revolution”, the 2010 to 2021 “democratic reforms”, and the 2021 attempted coup. For almost three decades, RFA has covered and exposed human rights abuses and served as an alternative to state media in countries where information is censored. On 29 May, the Canadian Broadcasting Company (CBC) reported that almost 400 of RFA’s staff had been laid off.
This development represents a significant restriction in independent journalism and access to uncensored information, particularly in repressive media environments such as Myanmar. The closure of language services will severely limit the flow of independent information to communities that rely on external media for credible reporting. It also weakens the global infrastructure supporting civic space, particularly in contexts where local media is heavily censored or state-controlled.