Voice of America employees have been placed on administrative leave as the Trump administration cut grants to publicly funded US outlets broadcasting into Russia, China, and North Korea.

Meanwhile, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty and Radio Free Asia, which are also funded by the US government, have seen their funding cut. All three outlets focus on broadcasting free information to audiences outside of the United States, including in conflict zones such as Ukraine, US rivals such as China and Russia and dictatorships such as North Korea.

The decision closely follows an executive order by President Donald Trump to shrink the US Agency for Global Media (USAGM) to its minimum legal function. The agency oversees Voice of America and provides funding for Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty and Radio Free Asia.

DW spoke to Anja Osterhaus from Reporters without Borders about the damage likely to be done by Trump's cuts.

DW Director General Peter Limbourg also joined us on air to express his concerns. He said that Trump had effectively abandoned millions of people in autocratic countries who had relied on the Voice of America, and others, for information.

00:00 Trump cuts gut US-funded media outlets
2:45 Anja Osterhaus from Reporters without Borders on cuts
06:34 DW DG Peter Limbourg says Trump not committed to free press