US judge orders USAGM to release $12m to Radio Liberty

A federal judge in Washington has ordered the US Agency for Global Media (USAGM) to release $12 million in congressional funding to Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL), following a legal dispute over delayed payments.

Judge Royce Lamberth issued the temporary injunction on Monday, instructing the agency to make the overdue April payment to the broadcaster, which provides independent news in countries where free media is restricted or under threat.

The ruling comes amid growing concerns over the financial stability of RFE/RL. According to its president,Stephen Capus, the delay in funding had already forced the organisation to furlough some staff and scale back programming in regions deemed critical to US national security.

“This decision allows our journalists to continue their vital work,” Capus said, adding that he hoped the funds would be disbursed immediately to stabilise operations.

RFE/RL, which operates under a congressional grant administered by USAGM, plays a key role in countering state-sponsored disinformation and promoting press freedom in Eastern Europe, Central Asia, and beyond.