Kari Lake, the CEO of the US Agency for Global Media (USAGM), has confirmed that she is blocking Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) from using a USAGM transmitter in Kuwait to broadcast into Iran. Lake defended the move on Facebook, claiming it prevents “mixed messages” to Iranian protesters.
Lake stated that USAGM has increased coverage into Iran via VOA Farsi, and that she offered additional help to RFE/RL. She alleged that RFE/RL President Steve Capus agreed to align their message with US foreign policy but failed to do so. “USAGM’s commitment is to ensure coverage is consistent with American national interests,” she wrote.
RFE/RL had resumed shortwave broadcasts into Iran after the government imposed an internet blackout amid widespread protests. Capus said the broadcasts are “an essential breakthrough” to provide Iranians with facts and ensure their voices are heard. The protests have been met with a brutal crackdown, resulting in hundreds of deaths.
The blocking of the transmitter comes as the Trump administration has sought to dismantle state-funded media outlets like RFE/RL and Voice of America. In March, Trump signed an executive order directing USAGM to shut down these outlets, calling VOA the “Voice of Radical America.” Courts have repeatedly blocked these efforts.
