ByDAVID BAUDER AP media writer
The rock band R.E.M. is putting out a special rerelease of its first single, “Radio Free Europe,” to benefit — wait for it — the actual Radio Free Europe.
Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty is among the U.S. government-funded media services that deliver news in overseas markets. President Donald Trump’s administration, claiming they are wasteful and promote a liberal point of view, is trying to choke off their funding.
A federal judge this week ordered the Republican administration to restore $12 million to Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty that was appropriated by Congress. Lawyers for the service, which has been operating for 75 years, said it would be forced to shut down in June without the money.
In the first line of its song “Radio Free Europe,” R.E.M.’s Michael Stipe sings: “Decide for yourself if radio’s going to stay.”
“Whether it’s music or a free press — censorship anywhere is a threat to the truth everywhere,” Stipe said on Friday. “On World Press Freedom Day, I’m sending a shout-out to the brave journalists at Radio Free Europe.”
Stephen Capus, RFE/RL president, said R.E.M.’s music has always represented a celebration of freedom to him. He said inspiring and upho