Alhurra, the Arabic-language television network launched by the U.S. government following the 2003 invasion of Iraq, announced it will shut down broadcasts and lay off the majority of its staff. The move follows a decision by President Donald Trump’s administration to withdraw funding for U.S.-backed international media outlets.
The channel, which debuted in 2004 as a counterbalance to Al-Jazeera’s coverage of the Iraq war, has long faced stiff competition in the Arabic-language media space. Al-Jazeera, backed by Qatar, continues to dominate the region alongside Saudi-funded Al-Arabiya and UAE-backed Sky News Arabia.
“Media in the Middle East thrive on anti-American narratives,” said Jeffrey Gedmin, President and CEO of Middle East Broadcasting Networks (MBN), which oversees Alhurra. “It makes no sense to dismantle MBN, which offers a rational alternative, and cede the space to adversaries and extremists,” he added.
The funding cut comes amid a broader cost-reduction initiative led by billionaire Elon Musk. In March, the Trump administration halted financial transfers to U.S. government-supported media, freezing operations at outlets such as Voice of America. While legal efforts are underway to reverse the decision, the impact has already been severe.
Gedmin, in a memo to staff, criticized Kari Lake, a prominent Trump ally now overseeing U.S.-funded media, for refusing to meet him and discuss the funding cuts, which he called “unlawful.”
“She’s deliberately starving us of the funds needed to pay our hardworking team,” Gedmin wrote. “This is a disgrace. You deserve better. I regret not resolving this crisis in time.”
Although Alhurra’s television broadcasts will end, the network plans to maintain a minimal digital presence with a team of just a few dozen. Currently, Alhurra claims to reach over 30 million viewers weekly across 22 countries.
Unlike Voice of America, Alhurra operated independently of the U.S. government, receiving grants instead of being under direct control, although Trump had frequently questioned the editorial independence of such outlets.
Despite the setbacks, some other U.S.-funded media organizations are attempting to adapt. Radio Free Europe, a Cold War-era broadcaster now based in Prague, has secured support from the Czech government. Radio Free Asia, which provides news to countries like China and North Korea, continues limited operations online.
