Silke Mayr The White House has labeled Voice of America (VOA) as “radical” and “anti-Trump,” leading to over 1,300 employees being placed on administrative leave. President Donald Trump signed an order to dismantle the federally funded broadcaster, accusing it of working against his administration. The move has raised significant concerns about press freedom and the future of independent journalism in the United States.
Massive Staff Suspension and Press Freedom Concerns: VOA, established during World War Two to counter Nazi propaganda, now faces one of the most challenging periods in its history. While the broadcaster claims to reach hundreds of millions worldwide each week, its operations have been significantly disrupted.
VOA Director Mike Abramowitz confirmed that he, along with nearly all 1,300 employees, had been placed on paid leave. He expressed concern that the order undermines VOA’s “vital mission” at a critical time when countries like Iran, China, and Russia are investing heavily in misinformation campaigns against the United States.
The National Press Club condemned the White House’s decision, describing it as a direct attack on press freedom. The organization questioned the implications for free speech, stating, “If an entire newsroom can be sidelined overnight, what does that say about free speech?”
Federal Funding Cuts and International Reaction: The order also targets VOA’s parent agency, the US Agency for Global Media (USAGM), which funds non-profit broadcasters like Radio Free Europe and Radio Free Asia. The directive instructs managers to reduce operations to only what the law requires, cutting off financial support for freelance workers and international contractors.
Crystal Thomas, USAGM’s human resources director, informed employees of the drastic changes via email. Additionally, federal grants supporting Radio Free Asia and Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty have been revoked, jeopardizing their operations.
International reaction has been swift, with Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavský urging the European Union to help keep Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty operational in Prague. Lipavský is expected to discuss potential solutions with European foreign ministers in the coming days.
Political Backlash and Historical Context: Billionaire and Trump adviser Elon Musk has also voiced support for VOA’s closure, using his social media platform X to push for the broadcaster’s shutdown. The president’s directive is part of broader federal funding cuts affecting various agencies, including those supporting homeless prevention, museums, and libraries.
Voice of America was established in 1942 to counter Nazi and Japanese propaganda, with its charter signed in 1976 by President Gerald Ford to ensure editorial independence. In 1994, the Broadcast Board of Governors was created to oversee non-military broadcasting, and a 2013 law change allowed VOA and its affiliates to begin broadcasting within the United States.
The order to dismantle Voice of America has sparked widespread concern about press freedom and the future of independent journalism. With millions of listeners worldwide, the impact of these decisions remains uncertain.