Trump Admin stops aid for pro-democracy groups in Belarus, Hong Kong and Iran

Donald Trump administration has stopped providing important technical assistance to pro-democracy groups in Belarus, Hong Kong and Iran.  Technical aid helped activists evade state surveillance and sidestep internet censorship. Michael Pack- a new Trump appointee has withheld congressionally-mandated grant of nearly $20m to Open Techlogy Fund (OTF) a n-profit organisation. Due to this OTF had to stop all its services in Belarus and several of its activities supporting civil society in Hong Kong and Iran.

OTF develops techlogies for evading cyber-surveillance and for bypassing internet and radio blackouts imposed by authoritarian regimes. organisation provides regular help to pro-democracy movements in installing and maintaining techlogy, with purpose of staying at least one step ahead of State. head of OTF board, Karen Kornbluh affirmed that end of funding from US ncy for Global Media (USAGM), would mean that activists living under authoritarian regimes were at increased risk. Pack has been running USAGM since June, she said.

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Adding furr she said freeze also meant that populations in those countries will find it harder to listen to Voice of America which is  USAGM’s flagship broadcaster. people in those countries will also t be able to access USAGM-funded stations like Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty and Radio Free Asia, as it would be more difficult to overcome state jamming methods, she said.

Pack stops funds to OTF

Pack an ally of former Trump adviser Stephen Bann purged all top manment and boards of broadcasters under its control, stopped spending, and raised profile of pro-administration comment in relation to news after taking over USAGM in June. According to Kornbluh, Pack had agreed over a month ago to appear before House foreign affairs committee on Thursday, however, cancelled with a few days tice and n igred a committee summons to attend.

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Kornbluh along with former USAGM officials described an environment of chaos and creeping authoritarianism at ncy that was weakening credibility of VOA, RFE/RL and or US broadcasters, with consequences for US national security while testifying before foreign affairs committee.

According to Pack’s office, funds were frozen over security concerns, however, Kornbluh denied allegations that OTF staff used Zoom and were careless with computer drives.  staff do t use Zoom and uses for cloud rar than physical drives for stor, she said.

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(Im credit AP)