About RFE/RL

reporting the facts

Our Work

Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL)’s mission is to promote democratic values by providing accurate, uncensored news and open debate in countries where a free press is threatened and disinformation is pervasive. RFE/RL reports the facts, undaunted by pressure.

While historically known for radio broadcasting behind the Iron Curtain during the Cold War, today’s RFE/RL seeks to reach audiences where they are, prioritizing digital platforms and innovative censorship circumvention strategies. RFE/RL reports in 24 languages to 18 countries, reaching nearly 50 million people every week.

Where We Work

RFE/RL 101

Accountable and Transparent

RFE/RL is a private 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation funded by the U.S. Congress through a federal grant from the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM).

As a recipient of U.S. taxpayer dollars, RFE/RL holds itself to the highest standards of accountability and transparency.

Finances

Every year, RFE/RL undergoes an annual independent financial audit in accordance with U.S. government standards.

RFE/RL received a clean independent financial audit for fiscal year 2025, retaining its designation as a “Low-Risk Auditee.”

RFE/RL’s annual tax returns and financial audits are publicly available.

Journalism and Editorial Independence

RFE/RL’s credibility and effectiveness depends on the trust our audiences place in our work. Our Standards of Ethical Journalism are available for review in English and Russian.

Standards of Ethical Journalism (English)

Standards of Ethical Journalism (Russian)

Credible

An essential guarantee of the journalistic credibility of RFE/RL is the “firewall” enshrined in USAGM’s authorizing legislation, the U.S. International Broadcasting Act.

The firewall prohibits interference by U.S. government officials, including USAGM’s Chief Executive Officer, in the objective, independent reporting of news by RFE/RL, thereby safeguarding the ability of our journalists to develop content that reflects the highest professional standards of journalism.

The firewall ensures that RFE/RL journalists and editors can make the final decisions on what stories to cover and how to cover them. The results of this policy are clear: audiences trust RFE/RL.

History

For more than 75 years, RFE/RL has served as a beacon of hope, leading audiences out of information darkness. RFE/RL’s work remains as relevant as ever since our first broadcast in 1950.

Radio Free Europe and Radio Liberty were created to serve as surrogate broadcasters providing trustworthy, locally relevant news, analysis and cultural programming to audiences subject to Communist propaganda. Today, RFE/RL continues to build on this proud legacy.

Our History

Meet our board

Board of Directors

RFE/RL, Inc. is a private nonprofit corporation incorporated in the State of Delaware. Our Board of Directors makes all major policy determinations governing RFE/RL’s operations. Each member of the RFE/RL Board of Directors is required by federal law to have “requisite expertise in journalism, technology, broadcasting, diplomacy, or appropriate language or cultural understanding” relevant to RFE/RL’s mission. Government employees are prohibited by law from serving on the RFE/RL Board.