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Independent Russian and Belarusian media outlets, forced into exile, and Ukrainian media outlets, making an essential contribution to resistance against Russia's war of aggression and to upholding democratic freedoms, are currently fighting for survival. Many are on the brink of extinction.
They depend on support. In exile, under autocratic rule or during war, there are hardly any opportunities to run media outlets commercially. Meanwhile, these outlets are more important than ever as independent sources of information.
However, the new US government is undermining their role. President Trump’s decision to cut funding to the US Agency for Global Media and USAID threatens the existence of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) and its publications and broadcasts. It also weakens dozens of other influential independent media outlets that were supported by US organisations.
Without free press no freedom for Ukraine, Belarus and Russia
Media projects and courageous journalists are a driving force in the fight for democratic freedoms and against authoritarianism, not only in their own countries and regions, but across Europe. Without the reporting, analysis and investigation carried out by independent journalist networks in Ukraine, Belarus and Russia, we would find it very difficult to understand what is happening in these countries.
Without this knowledge, we would have no effective tools with which to resist and act against Russian state propaganda and disinformation strategies.
The destruction of independent media poses a serious threat to journalism in these countries. In Russia and Belarus, independent reporting is currently practically banned, with exiled media outlets often being the only source of accurate information.
The consequences of American policies are therefore fundamental and dramatic.
The only media outlets to benefit from the impending extinction of many independent outlets will be the Belarusian and Russian state channels, which will be able to spread their propaganda increasingly widely, both in their own countries and beyond. Citizens in both the East and West will suffer lasting damage to their information position as a result. This destruction cannot be accepted as a fait accompli.
Reliable information and pluralism in Europe's strategic interest
At the initiative of the Czech Republic and seven other European countries, the EU was asked to consider taking over the financing of RFE/RL. Early May, the Swedish government announced that it will provide RFE/RL with 20 million Swedish crowns in 2025. On 21 May, the EU approved an emergency €5.5 million injection for Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty.
While they are a step in the right direction, it should not come at the expense of other news outlets, which also play an important role in factual and analytical reporting on Ukraine, Belarus, Russia and other countries in Eastern Europe.
Safeguarding free information spaces in Ukraine, Belarus and Russia would be a significant step towards strengthening democracy and fostering future peace in Europe
We – journalists and editors of international media focusing specifically on Ukraine, Belarus, Russia, the Caucasus, Moldova and Central Asia – therefore wish to appeal to the European Commission, the European Council and individual European states to establish funds to bolster specialised journalism in and about these regions.
Support for this form of journalism could be incorporated into the ReArm Europe Plan/Readiness 2030. After all, in this age of hybrid warfare, defence policy involves more than just weapons and personnel. Reliable information and pluralism are of strategic interest to Europe if the EU is to defend the democratic order. Safeguarding free information spaces in Ukraine, Belarus and Russia would be a significant step towards strengthening democracy and fostering future peace in Europe.
Within our capabilities, we, the initiators of this call, want to contribute to a public discussion on this matter and foster a support network for independent media struggling to survive in the years ahead. If desired, we are also ready to play an advisory and coordinating role.
However, without external assistance, we are powerless. Therefore, we are appealing to the European Commission, the European Council and individual European states to provide effective support for independent media outlets, which can now fill the gaps created by the Trump administration's decisions.
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