Radio Free Asia (RFA), a news organization wey U.S. government dey fund, dey sell off plenty of demma equipment for public auction site. E be like dem dey sell am for cheap price, like pennies on the dollar. Plenty people dey vex about dis one.
RFA dey collect about $60 million every year from American taxpayers to produce news for Asia. Dem say dem dey suspend operations because funding no dey during government shutdown. But while demma website no dey work, Fox News find out say RFA start dey sell demma expensive broadcast gear, like HD cameras, teleprompters, lenses, and even office refrigerators.
For one public auction site, Rasmus Auctions, RFA-branded broadcast gear dey go for fire sale prices. For example, dem list one teleprompter for 40 cents! Some high-definition cameras dey go for less than one dollar, teleprompters for 90 cents, professional lenses for under one dollar, and refrigerator dey go for just 20 cents.
California Congressman Darrell Issa, wey dey try make dem restore RFA’s funding, call the online auction a betrayal to American taxpayers. E say e never see dis kind thing before, wey organization wey dey collect hundred percent of demma money from taxpayers go do like dat.
The U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM) dey try clear demma name after plenty misleading news reports and troubling financial claims wey Radio Free Asia (RFA) dey push out. Kari Lake, USAGM’s Deputy Chief Executive Officer, say dem no go tolerate rogue behavior from any grantee. She talk say dumping IT equipment without proper compliance reviews dey dangerous and e dey put U.S. security at risk.
Why Dis One Dey Happen?
People dey ask why RFA dey sell demma equipment for cheap like dat. Some people dey think say e be like dem dey spite taxpayers. Others dey worry about the national security implications of selling off sensitive equipment without proper reviews.
What Next?
USAGM dey investigate the matter and dem dey try make sure say RFA dey follow all the rules and regulations. Taxpayers dey hope say dem go get some answers and dem go make sure say dis kind thing no go happen again.