Beijing-Backed Media Applaud U.S. Cuts to Asian Journalism, Sparking Fears of ‘Information Black Holes’

China’s state-backed media have welcomed the U.S. funding cuts to independent journalism in Asia, as critics warn of emerging “information black holes” in regions with restricted press freedoms.

The Trump administration’s recent decision to defund the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM)—which oversees Voice of America (VOA) and Radio Free Asia (RFA)—has drawn praise from Chinese state-run outlets, which framed it as a victory against Western influence.

However, press freedom advocates argue that these cuts weaken access to unbiased reporting in countries where authoritarian governments control information. Reporters Without Borders (RSF) and other watchdogs warn that this move will embolden state-controlled narratives and deprive millions of access to independent news.

Analysts say that without USAGM-backed outlets, Asia’s media landscape could become increasingly dominated by Chinese and other state-backed disinformation campaigns, limiting exposure to diverse perspectives. As digital censorship rises, experts caution that the erosion of independent journalism could leave many regions in an ‘information blackout’, where propaganda flourishes unchecked.