In a significant move, the Czech Republic has stepped in to rescue Radio Free Europe (RFE) following funding cuts ordered by the Trump administration. These cuts have raised alarms about the future of international journalism and the safety of journalists, particularly as many employees of Radio Free Asia have been placed on unpaid leave and face fears of deportation. As debates surge in the EU regarding how to support RFE, concerns grow that the defunding of U.S.-funded media undermines national security and compromises free expression. Critics warn that these developments may embolden repressive regimes and diminish critical coverage of issues, such as the ongoing situation in Ukraine. In response, RFE has vowed to challenge these funding cuts through legal action, highlighting the dire implications for regional journalism, especially in Central Asia. As the EU weighs its options, the stakes for preserving media freedom and democratic values have never been higher.