Radio Free Asia announces it is halting operations amid government shutdown, funding cuts

Radio Free Asia (RFA) on Wednesday announced that it was halting its operations and laying off some of its editorial staff who are furloughed amid the government shutdown and a cut in federal funding.

The media agency is one of several government-funded news organizations and is overseen by the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM). USAGM also oversees Voice of America, Office of Cuba Broadcasting, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Middle East Broadcasting Networks, Open Technology Fund and Frontline Media Fund.

The news agency said the decision marks the first time in its 30-year history that it has gone dark, which was created in 1996 to provide free and accurate news and information to Asian audiences following Tiananmen Square.