The recent decision by US President Donald Trump to freeze funding for media outlets like Voice of America, Radio Free Asia, and Radio Free Europe has drawn mixed reactions. China’s foreign ministry refrained from commenting on US domestic policies but hinted at the outlets’ questionable reporting history on China. The state-backed Global Times labeled Voice of America as a “lie factory” in an editorial, criticizing its credibility. These media outlets have been known to cover sensitive issues in China, such as human rights abuses in Xinjiang and Tibet, as well as the crackdown on democratic activists in Hong Kong. Cambodia’s former leader, Hun Sen, who has a history of silencing independent media, praised Trump’s move as a step against fake news. The media conflict between the US and China has escalated, with Beijing demanding detailed information from US media outlets operating in China.
China, Cambodia hail Trump’s decision to defund US-funded media
