The Bulgarian and Romanian editorial offices of "Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty" will cease operations on March 31, sources familiar with the situation reported, quoted by BIRN.
The decision puts an end to two of the most recognizable Western-backed journalistic initiatives in the region's media landscape. The closure follows the suspension of the Hungarian service in November and is directly related to the policy of the Donald Trump administration to limit federal funding for media outlets supported by the US Agency for Global Media (USAGM), including RFE/RL and "Voice of America". The Prague-based media outlet, which broadcasts in more than 20 languages, has laid off 90% of its external staff and put about a quarter of its staff on unpaid leave after a March 2025 executive order aimed at closing down USAGM.
Partial predictability for the budget came on February 3, when Trump signed the 2026 appropriations bill, which provides funding for USAGM, albeit about 25% lower than in previous years. For fiscal year 2025, Congress had approved $148.7 million for RFE/RL.
According to some sources, the team in Sofia is looking for an option that would allow it to continue working and serving its audience.
In Romania, the closure of "Europa Libera" is perceived by media analysts as a blow to investigative journalism and editorial pluralism. The Bucharest office has about 20 employees and is the successor to the historic Radio Free Europe, which during the Cold War was one of the few sources of independent information in the conditions of state control over the media. After the cessation of broadcasting in 2008, the Romanian online service was restored in 2018 amid concerns about disinformation and democratic regression in the region.
There has been no official statement from the Bulgarian service of "Free Europe" at the moment. Attention is also focused on the future of the Moldovan office, which, according to sources, will continue to operate this year, albeit with a limited team. Options for external funding, including from European sources, are being discussed, but the turmoil surrounding RFE/RL complicates the prospects.