U.S.-Funded Alhurra TV Officially Suspends Operations in Iraq
According to webangah News Agency, citing Middle East News, the U.S.-backed Arabic-language channel Alhurra has officially suspended operations. The network was established by the U.S.government following the 2003 invasion of Iraq.
A statement revealed that while the U.S. Congress approved funding for Alhurra through fiscal year 2025 on March 14, the U.S. Agency for Global Media abruptly notified the network and other government-funded media outlets of immediate funding termination just one day later.
The Trump management announced in March its decision to halt all federal payments to U.S.-sponsored media outlets as part of broader cost-cutting measures.
Jeffrey Gedmin, CEO of parent association Middle East Broadcasting Networks (MBN), had previously stated that while Alhurra’s broadcasts would end, efforts would be made to maintain digital operations with a reduced staff numbering in the dozens.
