Alhurra, channel countering anti-US views in Middle East, ceases broadcast as Trump cuts funding

Alhurra

, a US-funded Arabic-language news network created in 2004 to offer an American perspective in the middle east, will stop broadcasting and lay off most of its staff following the Trump administration's move to halt financial transfers to government-backed media outlets, including Alhurra’s parent company, the

Middle East Broadcasting Networks

(MBN).
The network was launched in the aftermath of the US invasion of Iraq to counter anti-American sentiment in Arabic media, especially that from Al-Jazeera, writes news agency AFP. Alhurra reached over 30 million viewers weekly across 22 countries but struggled to compete with well-established networks like Al-Jazeera, Al-Arabiya, and Sky News Arabia.
Jeffrey Gedmin, MBN’s president and CEO, criticised the funding cut, saying it leaves the field open to extremist narratives. “It makes no sense to kill MBN as a sensible alternative,” Gedmin said. He added that the Trump administration, particularly Kari Lake—the official overseeing US international broadcasting—refused to meet with him or address concerns over what he calls “unlawfully” blocked funds.
"I'm left to conclude that she is deliberately starving us of the money we need to pay you, our dedicated and hard-working staff," he wrote.

Gedmin also said Alhurra would stop broadcasting but attempt to continue limited digital operations with a significantly reduced team.
The shutdown is part of a broader budget reduction effort, reportedly influenced by Elon Musk, which has already affected other US-funded outlets like

Voice of America

and Radio Free Asia. Some organisations, such as Radio Free Europe, are now looking for support from foreign governments to survive.