The professional membership of the Taiwan Foreign Correspondents’ Club stands in solidarity with our colleagues at Radio Free Asia (RFA) and Voice of America (VOA), who have been seriously affected the U.S. government’s decision to defund the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM).
We echo the concerns raised by RFA President Bay Fang and VOA Director Michael Abramowitz that silencing these institutions undermines independent journalism, emboldens authoritarian regimes, and weakens democratic values. A free press is essential to holding the powerful accountable, ensuring transparency, and protecting fundamental rights. At a time of rising disinformation and censorship, the media’s role has never been more critical.
RFA and VOA journalists are a valued part of the TFCC community. We stand with our colleagues and urge U.S. authorities to reconsider funding for these vital institutions and the journalists who work for them.
Taiwan Foreign Correspondents’ Club (TFCC)
March 17, 2025