The European Union has approved 5.5 million euros in funding to support Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL), announced EU foreign policy head Kaja Kallas following a Brussels meeting of EU foreign ministers on May 20.
The funds will be channeled through the European Endowment for Democracy, a non-governmental organization, which will then distribute the money to RFE/RL. Kallas described the allocation as "short-term emergency funding to safeguard independent journalism."
While acknowledging that the EU cannot fully replace RFE/RL's financial backing, Kallas emphasized the importance of supporting media operations in neighboring regions that rely heavily on external news sources. She expressed hope for further funding to assist journalists.
Meanwhile, RFE/RL continues its legal battle with the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM) over access to financial support. Earlier in May, a U.S. court overturned a decision that would have compelled the Trump administration to reinstate Voice of America staff.
Both RFE/RL and Voice of America (VOA) suspended broadcasts in mid-March after USAGM froze grants supporting their journalistic activities.