Alhurra shuts down after Trump cuts funding for US-backed Arabic media

US-funded Arabic network Alhurra to end broadcasts, lay off staff as Trump administration halts financial support.

Lebanese men watch the newly launched US-funded Arabic-language television network Alhurra in Beirut on February 16, 2004. Photo by Ramzi Haidar/AFP

By Anna Fadiah and Hayu Andini

Washington, D.C. — The US-funded Arabic-language television network Alhurra will cease its broadcasts after over 20 years on air, following the Trump administration’s decision to pull financial support. Alhurra shuts down at a critical moment for international media, as tensions rise in the Middle East and propaganda battles intensify. The closure, which also includes layoffs for most of its staff, marks the end of a once-prominent alternative voice to major regional broadcasters like Al-Jazeera and Al-Arabiya.

Founded in 2004 as a response to US dissatisfaction with coverage of the Iraq war, Alhurra was established to offer a different perspective to Arabic-speaking audiences. It was created during the height of US military involvement in Iraq, and for two decades aimed to counter what US officials viewed as widespread anti-American sentiment in regional media. But that mission now comes to an abrupt halt.

A broadcast legacy ends amid political and financial pressure

The Alhurra shutdown follows the Trump administration’s decision to cut all financial transfers to government-supported media outlets as part of a sweeping cost-reduction initiative. Spearheaded by billionaire Elon Musk, who now plays an advisory role in Trump’s policy team, the cuts have also affected other outlets, such as Voice of America and Radio Free Asia.

Jeffrey Gedmin, the president and CEO of Middle East Broadcasting Networks (MBN) — Alhurra’s parent organization — called the decision both unlawful and damaging. In a memo to staff, he expressed deep frustration over the lack of dialogue with Kari Lake, the controversial Trump ally now overseeing US international media. Gedmin claimed Lake refused meetings and ignored attempts to discuss the future of MBN, leaving the organization with no path forward.

“Media in the Middle East thrive on a diet of anti-Americanism,” Gedmin said in a public statement. “It makes no sense to kill MBN as a sensible alternative and to open the field to American adversaries and Islamic extremists.”

Impact on staff and global audiences

Alhurra currently claims to reach more than 30 million viewers across 22 countries, providing Arabic-speaking audiences with news, cultural programs, and current affairs analysis with a pro-democracy tone. But now, most of its staff will be laid off, with only a “couple dozen” expected to remain for minimal digital operations.

Gedmin told employees, “What’s happening is a disgrace. You deserve better, and I bear responsibility for not resolving this crisis in time to keep you.” His remarks reflect the deep sense of betrayal felt by employees who served under the belief that their work was essential to advancing freedom of information in the Arab world.

Despite its influence, Alhurra faced increasing challenges from competitors. Al-Jazeera, backed by Qatar, has long dominated the Arabic-language media landscape. Saudi-funded Al-Arabiya and UAE-supported Sky News Arabia have also taken center stage in recent years. Alhurra struggled to keep up, both in ratings and perception, often criticized for being too aligned with US policy.

The politics behind the decision

While financial austerity was the official reason for the shutdown, critics argue that the closure of Alhurra is politically motivated. Trump has consistently voiced distrust toward media outlets, both foreign and domestic, and has challenged the traditional editorial independence of US-funded channels. Although Voice of America has traditionally operated under a “firewall” guaranteeing its autonomy, Alhurra functioned through government grants and was not formally part of the US government.

Kari Lake’s refusal to meet with MBN leadership suggests the decision to cut funding was intentional rather than bureaucratic. Observers say this represents a deeper shift in Trump’s foreign policy priorities, which now favor cost-cutting and domestic realignment over global influence through media diplomacy.

Echoes of the Cold War and what comes next

The Alhurra shutdown is part of a broader trend affecting US international broadcasting efforts. Radio Free Europe, another legacy outlet that once played a key role in the Cold War, has sought emergency financial backing from the Czech government to stay operational. Meanwhile, Radio Free Asia, which targets authoritarian states like China and North Korea, is struggling to maintain even basic online services.

The unraveling of these media operations comes at a time when authoritarian governments are investing heavily in their own international messaging. From Russia’s RT to China’s CGTN, state-sponsored media is expanding in reach and sophistication, while the US seems to be retreating from the battlefield of ideas.

The closure of Alhurra raises concerns about the United States’ ability to maintain a credible media presence in regions where freedom of speech is under threat. Analysts fear that without platforms like Alhurra, Arabic-speaking audiences may be left with fewer choices and more exposure to biased or extremist narratives.

Legacy and symbolism

Alhurra, meaning “The Free One” in Arabic, was never universally accepted by its intended audience. It often struggled with credibility, burdened by its association with US foreign policy. But its mission — to provide uncensored, independent news to a region often lacking it — carried symbolic weight.

When it launched in 2004, the United States was embroiled in Iraq and battling to win hearts and minds across the Arab world. Two decades later, the US is scaling back, not only militarily but now also in its soft-power strategy. The shutdown of Alhurra represents the end of an era.

Osama Siblani, publisher of the Arab American News, lamented the news. “Alhurra had its flaws, but it was a window into what was happening in Washington. Now, that window is closing.”

A bleak outlook for US-funded media

While legal challenges continue, including lawsuits over the cut funding for Voice of America, hope is dwindling for a reversal. The political winds in Washington appear to be shifting toward a leaner, more isolationist stance. This could mean further closures of similar outlets in the coming months.

For now, the remaining staff at Alhurra will maintain a limited digital footprint — though without broadcast capabilities, its ability to reach its audience will be severely diminished. Whether future administrations will restore funding and revive these media efforts remains to be seen.

But for millions who once tuned in to Alhurra for a different take on the news, the screen has gone dark.