The United States Agency for Global Media (USAGM) announced the elimination of 532 positions across multiple international broadcasting outlets, including Voice of America (VOA), as part of a reduction in force. This decision follows a previous order from Donald Trump’s administration to reduce federal funding and streamline operations. The move comes despite a federal judge blocking the acting CEO’s attempt to remove the VOA director and ordering the administration to comply with previous orders to restore VOA’s operations. Agency employees have condemned the job cuts and are seeking further legal action.
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A federal judge ruled that Kari Lake cannot unilaterally fire Voice of America Director Michael Abramowitz, as it violates the law requiring backing from an advisory panel. The judge also determined that Abramowitz’s attempted reassignment was illegal. The court rebuffed arguments from the Justice Department regarding executive power and the constitutionality of protecting Voice of America’s journalistic independence. Furthermore, the judge cited that Congress had established safeguards to insulate the network from political pressure, which Lake was found to be circumventing. The Trump administration, under Lake, had been actively trying to reduce the network’s operations and exert greater ideological control.
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A federal judge has ordered the Trump administration to fully restore the Voice of America (VOA) to its previous operational state. This decision comes after a legal challenge contesting the administration’s actions, which were perceived as a blatant attempt to exert undue political influence over the news agency and suppress independent journalism. The judge’s order effectively reverses these actions, mandating a complete restoration of the VOA’s operations and resources.
The Trump administration’s efforts to undermine the VOA were seen as a direct affront to the agency’s charter, a legally binding document guaranteeing its editorial independence. This charter, established and signed into law decades ago, emphasizes the integrity of VOA’s reporting and its role as a reliable source of news and information for international audiences.… Continue reading
President Trump’s executive order effectively dissolved the US Agency for Global Media, including Voice of America (VOA), silencing a crucial counter to foreign disinformation after 83 years. This action, praised by Russian and Chinese state media, stands in contrast to the continued operation of RT and CCTV, which actively spread pro-Kremlin and pro-Beijing narratives. Meanwhile, the BBC World Service, facing initial budget cuts, received increased UK government funding to bolster its efforts against disinformation. The contrasting responses highlight the differing priorities and approaches to international broadcasting in the face of geopolitical competition.
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The Trump administration’s decision to defund Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty and Voice of America has been met with quiet satisfaction in Moscow. High-ranking Russian officials view the move as beneficial, as these outlets, originally designed to counter Soviet propaganda, had recently undermined Kremlin narratives, particularly in the post-Soviet space. While publicly downplaying the event, Kremlin officials privately celebrated the weakening of these “enemy voices,” highlighting the outlets’ impactful reporting which challenged Moscow’s wartime censorship and propaganda efforts.
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President Trump’s executive order dismantling US government-funded media outlets like Voice of America and Radio Free Asia was met with glee by Chinese nationalists and state media. These organizations, frequently criticized by China for their coverage of human rights and other issues, were deemed “lie factories” by Chinese state media. The move, celebrated on Chinese social media, effectively silences institutions Beijing long sought to undermine, coinciding with China’s own expansion of its global media presence. This action has been defended by the White House as eliminating taxpayer funding of “radical propaganda,” while critics see it as a gift to authoritarian regimes.
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President Trump issued an executive order effectively dismantling Voice of America (VOA) and its parent company, US Agency for Global Media (USAGM), citing alleged anti-Trump bias and wasteful spending. The order places VOA’s 1,300 employees on paid leave and halts funding for affiliated organizations like Radio Free Europe and Radio Free Asia, impacting hundreds of millions of listeners globally. This action, spurred by right-wing media accusations of leftist bias, severely curtails VOA’s mission of countering foreign propaganda. The move comes alongside broader budget cuts to various federal agencies.
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Voice of America staff being placed on indefinite leave with pay is a perplexing situation sparking a wide range of reactions. The decision seems counterintuitive; if the goal is to save money, why continue paying salaries without requiring work? Shutting down the agency entirely would appear more efficient, or alternatively, allowing staff to continue their duties would maintain some level of operational continuity. The current approach leaves many wondering about the underlying motives.
This indefinite leave with pay seems particularly puzzling considering previous attempts to reduce staff through buyouts were largely unsuccessful. It suggests the administration’s motivations extend beyond simply trimming budgets.… Continue reading
President Trump’s executive order effectively dismantles seven federal agencies, including those addressing homelessness, supporting minority businesses, and overseeing the US Agency for Global Media (USAGM). This action, impacting thousands of federal employees, particularly targets USAGM, which funds Voice of America (VOA), reflecting Trump’s prior criticisms of its reporting. The order requires agencies to justify their existence, anticipating their significant downsizing. Legal challenges are anticipated, especially concerning the USAGM’s congressionally mandated charter.
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The U.S. Agency for Global Media, overseeing Voice of America (VOA), terminated contracts with The Associated Press, Reuters, and Agence France-Presse, aiming to save an estimated $53 million. This decision, announced by newly appointed special advisor Kari Lake, directs VOA journalists to cease using wire service content. The move reflects a broader effort to increase VOA’s self-produced content and comes amidst strained relations between the current administration and the press. This action has been met with silence from the affected wire services.
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John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood