State Actors in Disguise? Legal and Policy Concerns with Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty and the Case of Targeted Reporting on U.S. Citizens

This article examines the legal and policy controversies surrounding Radio FreeEurope/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) and its senior correspondent Todd Prince. Drawing onhistorical records, statutory analysis, public criticism from U.S. officials, and pendinglitigation, the paper argues that RFE/RL’s activities highlight unresolved constitutional andstatutory issues. Although chartered as a foreign broadcaster, evidence suggests thatRFE/RL has blurred its mission, coordinating with regulators and targeting U.S. citizens inways inconsistent with its legal mandate. The paper uses the author’s Detroit federal case asa case study to argue for urgent congressional and judicial scrutiny.