President Donald Trump has issued an executive order impacting Voice of America (VOA), the independent news organization founded in 1942 to counter Nazi and Japanese propaganda. The directive targets VOA's parent company, the US Agency for Global Media (USAGM), which oversees various non-profit broadcasting entities created to challenge adversarial ideologies.
The order compels the heads of USAGM to minimize performance to the lowest legal requirements. In response, Mike Abramowitz, director of VOA, revealed that he and most of his staff have been placed on paid leave, hindering the organization's ability to fulfill its critical mission, particularly in the current political climate where adversaries like Iran, China, and Russia are actively proliferating false narratives against the U.S.
Reports indicate that all freelance personnel and international contractors associated with VOA have been informed that funding has been suspended. Emails acquired by CBS news also disclosed that funding for Radio Free Asia and Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty has been terminated. Collectively, these outlets reach over 400 million listeners worldwide, akin to the role of the BBC World Service in the United Kingdom.
Former president Trump's relationship with VOA has been contentious, with a history of criticizing the outlet for alleged bias. Recently appointed special adviser Kari Lake, a close ally of Trump, is believed to influence the future direction of USAGM, signaling a shift towards decreasing its independence.
The PBS serves as a reminder that VOA, established to combat misinformation during World War II, was formalized under U.S. law to ensure editorial autonomy. As funding cuts ripple through other government agencies as well, America's news dissemination landscape faces significant transformations under Trump's administration.
