Key Court Win for Middle East Broadcasting Networks

Key Court Win for Middle East Broadcasting Networks 

(Springfield, VA) – Today’s decision by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit clears the path for Middle East Broadcasting Networks (MBN) to receive its Congressionally approved funding. 

The U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM) unlawfully terminated MBN’s grant agreement in mid-March. Since that time, the network has been deprived of regular disbursements of its Congressionally appropriated funds. The company was forced recently to cut staffing by 90 percent. Today’s decision received the support of seven of the Court’s eleven active judges.

The full Court decision followed the disappointing 2-1 opinion by a panel from the same U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit to stay (pause) a preliminary injunction that required USAGM to restore MBN’s grant.

“It’s very good news,” said MBN President/CEO Jeffrey Gedmin. “Our organization has suffered immense reputational damage during this period. There’s been irreparable harm to our dedicated MBN employees — and serious loss to American taxpayers who support our work and believe in our mission. We look forward now to the immediate restoration of MBN’s funding.”  

“We’re delighted that Radio Free Asia prevailed today too,” Gedmin added.

MBN Board Chair Ambassador Ryan Crocker said, “MBN’s unique, pro-American voice in the Middle East has been significantly diminished for far too long now. I trust May funds will arrive immediately and that MBN will not encounter further delays through the end of the fiscal year.”