Reporters Without Borders Sought Continued Svoboda Funding
The media group requested ongoing European Union support for the satellite package that provides Russian-language content.
Updated on Sept. 29, 2026 in Language Learning
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Reporters Without Borders has urged the European Union to continue financing the Svoboda satellite package, which currently provides independent Russian-language media to millions. The project serves as a vital alternative to state-censored content in Russia, Belarus, and occupied Ukraine.
Why it matters
The Svoboda package represents a key strategic counter to Kremlin propaganda by bypassing state online censorship. As current European Commission funding is set to expire, advocates argue that maintaining this access is essential for audiences living under strict information control.
The satellite package features 15 Russian-language channels and currently reaches 4.5 million households in Russia and Belarus, plus 800,000 households in occupied Ukrainian territories. Estimates indicate between 6 and 10 million Russian adults consume independent media.
The players
Reporters Without Borders
This is an international non-profit organization that promotes and defends freedom of information and the rights of journalists globally.
European Commission
This is the executive branch of the European Union responsible for proposing legislation and managing the bloc's funding programs.
The details
Svoboda uses satellite transmission to deliver uncensored programming that authorities find difficult to block compared to internet-based content. The project offers a diverse array of information to audiences who otherwise face restricted access to independent news sources.
Timeline
Reporters Without Borders launched the Svoboda satellite package in 2024.
A JX Fund study conducted in 2025 established a benchmark for independent media consumption.
EHESS researchers analyzed Svoboda satellite audience numbers during March and April 2026.
EU funding for the current Svoboda project is scheduled to terminate on October 31, 2026.
Culture Shift
The push for satellite-based information access highlights a departure from digital-first journalism in regions where state-led internet shutdowns and firewalls are increasingly pervasive. This initiative underscores how legacy transmission methods are being reclaimed as essential tools for preserving access to independent media in autocracies.
The potential funding cutoff could result in the loss of independent information access for millions of households currently relying on satellite broadcasts to bypass censorship. For viewers, the loss of these 15 channels would significantly narrow the available range of perspectives on regional news and global current events.
The takeaway
Access to independent information remains a critical challenge for populations residing in regions with heavy state-controlled media environments. Maintaining diverse satellite delivery methods provides a necessary buffer against total information isolation for citizens in Russia and Belarus.
Further reading
For broader context on how media initiatives support information access, explore Language Learning.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Bienvenue sur le site de Reporter sans frontières | RSF.
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