SEK 20 million in support to Radio Free Europe
Published
The Government has decided to provide SEK 20 million in support to Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) in 2025. For a number of years, Sweden has been the third-largest donor in the world in support of free and independent media, and this decision is part of our continued efforts to support journalists and independent media. Following the United States’ withdrawal of its support to RFE/RL, people in many countries risk not having access to free media. Sweden’s support to RFE/RL helps journalists continue to broadcast independent and fact-based information to locations where media freedom is limited.
“Free and independent media are the backbone of our democracies. They are the best vaccine against propaganda and disinformation. Press freedom is currently threatened in many places. Essentially all Russian independent media have been banned, blocked or labelled as undesirable organisations and the US has chosen to withdraw its support to free media in Europe. In the worrying international situation we are living in, it’s more important than ever that democracies such as Sweden do what they can for a freer world. That’s why we’re increasing our support to Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty so that they can continue to broadcast and publish independent information,” says Minister for International Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade Benjamin Dousa.
“Free and independent media are crucial for vital and healthy democracies, but they are not something we can take for granted. Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty has long been a key actor for providing fact-based information where it’s needed most. That’s why I’m proud that Sweden is supporting the organisation and helping it continue to be a strong voice for freedom and democracy,” says Minister for EU Affairs Jessica Rosencrantz.
With the changes to US development assistance policy, support to RFE/RL has been withdrawn. Sweden’s support aims to allow RFE/RL to continue broadcasting independent information. Supporting independent media in vulnerable environments is a key component of Sweden’s long-term democracy support. Sweden has also previously increased support to organisations that support independent journalists around the world.
Last week, the Government decided to increase its support to the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCPR) by SEK 70 million. In addition, the Government has increased its assistance to two organisations working specifically to support journalists and defenders of human rights and freedoms in repressive environments, including Eastern Europe. In 2024, annual support to the European Endowment for Democracy was increased from SEK 20 million to SEK 35 million and funding to the Prague Civil Society Centre was doubled from SEK 10 million to SEK 20 million.
Sweden’s support to free and independent media
For a number of years, Sweden has been the third-largest global donor in support of free and independent media. Support channelled via Sida to democracy, human rights and the rule of law totalled SEK 6.6 billion in 2024. This accounted for approximately one quarter of Sida’s total development assistance, making it the largest thematic area. In addition, the Ministry for Foreign Affairs provides core and operational support to organisations such as the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), the European Endowment for Democracy and the Prague Civil Society Centre.
Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty
Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) was founded in 1950 to counter news services controlled by regimes in the Soviet Union and the Warsaw Pact countries. RFE/RL currently reaches a weekly audience of almost 50 million people in 23 countries including Russia, Ukraine, Iran, Afghanistan and countries in Central Asia and the South Caucasus. It is a non-profit organisation and employs more than 1 700 people (of whom 1 000 are staff and 700 are freelancers).
Press contact
Press Secretary to Minister for International Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade Benjamin Dousa
Phone (switchboard) +46 8 405 10 00
Mobile +46 76 133 67 90
email to Linn Laurin
Press Secretary to Minister for EU Affairs Jessica Rosencrantz
Phone (switchboard) +46 8 405 10 00
Mobile +46 76 107 63 65
email to Hanna Johansen
