Summary of "Lawfare Daily: Tom Kent on the Dismantling of American Government Broadcasting"

Released on March 25, 2025, The Lawfare Podcast, hosted by Benjamin Wittes of the Lawfare Institute, features an in-depth conversation with Tom Kent, former head of Radio Free Europe, Radio Liberty, and a seasoned expert in Russian affairs. The episode delves into the recent executive order aimed at dismantling the United States Agency for Global Media (USAGM) and its affiliated broadcasting organizations.

1. Introduction

The episode opens with Benjamin Wittes introducing Tom Kent, highlighting Kent's extensive background in Russian affairs and his leadership role at Radio Free Europe and Radio Liberty until 2018. Tom Kent shares his transition from journalism to academia, teaching at Columbia University and consulting on issues related to propaganda and disinformation.

2. Understanding USAGM and Its Affiliates

[03:12] Benjamin Wittes introduces the topic by asking Kent to elucidate the structure and purpose of USAGM, which oversees various government-backed broadcasters such as Voice of America (VOA), Radio Free Europe (RFE), Radio Liberty (RFL), Radio Free Asia (RFA), and Radio Marti.

[05:49] Tom Kent explains that while VOA and Radio Marti are direct government agencies with civil servant employees, RFE, RFL, and RFA operate as private companies receiving grants from USAGM. He details the historical context, noting how these organizations have evolved over time to address different regions and geopolitical concerns.

3. Historical Role and Effectiveness of USAGM Broadcasters

Kent emphasizes the pivotal role these broadcasters played during the Cold War, serving as vital sources of information behind the Iron Curtain.

[10:18] Tom Kent recounts, “During the Cold War, Radio for Europe, Radio Liberty was extremely active and effective in penetrating the Communist bloc... They were very much hated by the government, which obviously felt a need to attack them.”

He cites Soviet responses, such as relentless jamming and propaganda against these broadcasts, as evidence of their impact and effectiveness. The persistent Soviet efforts to block these broadcasts underscored their significance in providing alternative narratives to communist-controlled media.

4. The Executive Order and Its Immediate Impact

[07:02] Benjamin Wittes shifts the discussion to the recent executive order aimed at reducing USAGM to its statutory minimum. He probes the extent to which this action affects the various broadcasters.

[07:33] Tom Kent explains that the full impact remains to be seen, pending court decisions. However, he notes that government agencies like VOA and Radio Marti are experiencing significant operational shutdowns, with many employees being placed on administrative leave or receiving termination notices.

5. Administration's Motivation and Rationale

Wittes challenges Kent on the administration's purported reasons for targeting USAGM, particularly claims of leftist propaganda.

[15:15] Tom Kent provides insights into the administration's long-standing frustrations with USAGM, citing attempts to reform its editorial functions and perceptions of bias. He suggests that the administration views the agency as inefficient and ideologically skewed, leveraging a collection of isolated incidents to justify sweeping changes.

6. International Reactions and Strategic Implications

The conversation explores the broader implications of dismantling USAGM on global information ecosystems.

[29:43] Tom Kent describes the Russian government's diplomatic stance, which masks internal satisfaction. Russian commentators view the shutdown as a victory, eliminating a key source of dissenting information. Similarly, authoritarian regimes in Hungary and Iran are likely to welcome the reduction of USAGM's influence, paving the way for increased dominance by Russian and Chinese information operations.

He warns of the strategic setback, noting, “These are the kinds of people and the kinds of forces that will celebrate this. ... Russia and China have sharply stepped up their information operations, they will increasingly be able to control the information space.”

7. Prospects for Reversal and Future Funding

Wittes inquires about the likelihood of reversing the executive order and securing future funding for USAGM affiliates.

[31:37] Tom Kent is cautiously optimistic, pointing to bipartisan support in Congress for these broadcasters. He acknowledges the possibility of litigation and the potential for external funding sources, such as the European Union, to step in. However, he remains skeptical, noting that the broader political climate may hinder constructive intervention.

8. Future Scenarios: Optimism vs. Pessimism

Kent outlines possible future outcomes based on the administration's actions.

Positive Scenario: Kent envisions a restructured international communication framework managed by the State Department or National Security Council, maintaining credible and rigorous journalism to counteract adversarial propaganda.

Negative Scenario: The dismantling leads to the complete shutdown or transformation of broadcasters into overt propaganda tools, diminishing America's ability to influence global information spaces effectively.

9. Personal Anecdotes Illustrating USAGM's Impact

Wittes shares a personal story about how different VOA language services covered his protests against the Russian Embassy, highlighting the nuanced and targeted nature of USAGM's broadcasting efforts.

[41:59] Tom Kent reflects on the dual perception such actions generate internationally. While some Russians may view it as American propaganda, others recognize it as an exercise of free speech, thereby showcasing American values and freedom of expression to global audiences.

10. Strategic Importance of International Broadcasting

Kent underscores the multifaceted value of USAGM's broadcasts, beyond just promoting democracy and human rights.

[38:31] Tom Kent states, “I mean, you can always go back to Project 2025, and some of those things are carried out and some of them are not. ...seriously important to have that communication...militarily important, economically important.”

He draws parallels to military assets, arguing that broadcasting in multiple languages is a cost-effective strategy compared to other defense expenditures, enhancing America's strategic positioning in regions like Congo by countering anti-American sentiments fostered by adversaries.

11. The Cost-Benefit Analysis

A discussion emerges around the financial aspects of maintaining USAGM.

[38:19] Benjamin Wittes asks about the annual cost, to which Kent responds that the total for USAGM is approximately $800 million.

He contrasts this with the cost of military systems, suggesting that investments in information broadcasting are economically efficient in achieving strategic objectives.

12. Concluding Thoughts and Future Outlook

[44:07] Tom Kent expresses hope that the administration will recognize the strategic necessity of international broadcasting and seek alternative structures to sustain it. He emphasizes the importance of continuing to engage global audiences through credible journalism to support various national interests.

Kent also voices concern for USAGM journalists imprisoned in hostile countries, advocating for their release and the preservation of the organizations they represent.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• [05:49] Tom Kent: “They were very much hated by the government, which obviously felt a need to attack them.”

• [07:33] Tom Kent: “It has been put on administrative leave... it's obviously been kneecapped tremendously.”

• [12:58] Tom Kent: “The USAGM networks are very active in web, social networks, satellite broadcasting, television, radio for Europe.”

• [15:15] Tom Kent: “Some people felt that his goal was essentially to get into the editorial function and make it go in a certain way.”

• [21:17] Benjamin Wittes: “...USAGM is a real gift to our strategic information competitors...”

• [29:43] Tom Kent: “Russia and China have sharply stepped up their information operations, they will increasingly be able to control the information space.”

• [38:31] Tom Kent: “I mean, you can always go back to Project 2025... miltarily important, economically important.”

• [44:07] Tom Kent: “There is a value to being able to address foreign populations whatever the hell we want to tell them.”

Conclusion

The episode provides a comprehensive analysis of the administration's move to dismantle USAGM, highlighting the strategic ramifications for American foreign policy and global information dynamics. Tom Kent articulates the multifaceted importance of international broadcasting, ranging from promoting democratic values to serving as a cost-effective strategic tool. While he remains hopeful for alternative solutions, he underscores the potential risks of abandoning robust international communication channels, which could empower adversarial narratives and weaken America's global influence.

Listeners gain a nuanced understanding of the complexities surrounding government-backed international broadcasters, the motivations behind their recent suppression, and the broader implications for global information warfare.