R.E.M. Supports Radio Free Europe with a New Remix
In a unique collaboration between music and journalism, the iconic rock band R.E.M. has revived their classic 1983 hit “Radio Free Europe.” This remixed version is designed to support the struggling Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL), which recently faced a significant funding freeze from the Trump administration.
The Call for Help
RFE/RL has been a vital source of independent news, particularly in regions where media freedom is under threat. Since its inception during the Eisenhower administration, the organization has played an essential role in broadcasting to countries behind the Iron Curtain and continues to transmit news in 27 languages from its Prague headquarters and satellite offices.
Michael Stipe, the former frontman of R.E.M., expressed the band’s immediate willingness to assist RFE/RL, stating, “We love journalism. We love freedom of speech. And we love the world.” With over 1,300 journalists, RFE/RL’s mission remains crucial, especially as media censorship has increased globally under authoritarian regimes.
Funding Challenges
The organization has encountered significant difficulties due to an abrupt halt of $75 million in federal funding appropriated by Congress for the fiscal year 2025. Steve Capus, the current president of RFE/RL, described the funding freeze as unexpected, highlighting the organization’s reliance on dwindling reserves. “There was an absolute appalling lack of communication about the implications of this decision,” Capus stated in a recent interview.
Public Response and Legal Action
The dire situation led RFE/RL to consider drastic measures, including furloughing employees and taking legal action to restore their funding. In a notable development, a federal judge has ordered the Trump administration to release approximately $12.2 million earmarked for the organization’s operational costs for April, although the administration plans to appeal this ruling.
Critics of RFE/RL, such as Elon Musk, have suggested that the organization should be shut down, arguing that it is no longer relevant. Musk stated on social media that “Europe is free now,” and characterized the organization as a channel for “radical left crazy people.” This sentiment contrasts sharply with the ongoing support from figures like Stipe, who emphasize the need for independent media in the fight against censorship and authoritarianism.
R.E.M.’s Commitment
While the remix of “Radio Free Europe” may not resolve RFE/RL’s financial struggles entirely, it has undoubtedly raised morale within the organization. Capus remarked, “You know what, a morale boost is welcome these days.” The remix, along with four other R.E.M. rarities, will be available digitally and on vinyl, with all proceeds directly benefiting RFE/RL.
As RFE/RL grapples with its financial future, the collaboration with R.E.M. underscores the impact that music and media can have in championing democracy and independent journalism. Stipe’s words resonate strongly today: “It’s important to democracy and important in the fight against authoritarianism that they remain.”
