RFE/RL Implements Strategic Reforms
(WASHINGTON) — Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) has embarked on a reform plan designed to position the organization for the future.
Building on its 75-year legacy of promoting democratic values by providing accurate, uncensored reporting where a free press is threatened or non-existent, RFE/RL will focus its resources on Iran, Russia, and the countries most affected by Russian expansionism — as well as the growth of Chinese influence across its coverage area.
“These measures are being undertaken to preserve RFE/RL’s position as an impactful, relevant, and fiscally responsible organization. We are reinforcing our commitment to enterprise journalism — particularly investigative and analytical reporting. As we restructure, we say goodbye to some truly talented colleagues who have long dedicated themselves to RFE/RL’s mission,” said RFE/RL President and CEO Stephen Capus.
As Russia, China, and Iran expand their multi-billion-dollar global propaganda machines, RFE/RL will boost its work to identify and counter their malign narratives while exposing their deepening cooperation. RFE/RL will also increase investment in the development of innovative circumvention tools to ensure that its audiences can continue to access independent information.
On May 1, 2026, RFE/RL will merge the operations of the Russian Service (Radio Svoboda), Current Time, Tatar-Bashkir Service (Radio Azadliq), and North Caucasus Service (Marsho Radio) into a single multiple-media programming unit for audiences in Russia. All four service brand names will remain in use, reflecting the dedicated followings they have built among their audiences over many years. Programming in the Russian, Tatar, Bashkir, and Chechen languages will continue. RFE/RL journalism reaches 8.7% of the adult Russian population – or 10.1 million people – every week, according to a 2023 national survey of Russian adults.
Ekho Kavkaza, the Russian-language unit of RFE/RL’s Georgian Service targeting audiences in occupied Abkhazia and South Ossetia, will close on May 1. The Georgian Service will continue to program in Georgian; the new Russia programming unit will cover newsworthy events in these occupied regions for Russian-language audiences.
On March 31, 2026, RFE/RL closed its Bulgarian, Romanian, and North Macedonia services, as well as Radio Mashaal, its Pashto-language service for Pakistan’s tribal regions.
RFE/RL is funded by the U.S. Congress through a federal grant from the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM). Congress appropriated a budget of $112.5 million for RFE/RL in fiscal year 2026.
Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) is a private, independent international news organization whose programs — digital, television, and radio — reach a weekly audience of more than 48 million people in 18 countries and 24 languages.