Former President Donald Trump has taken decisive action by signing an order aimed at restructuring the federally funded news organization, Voice of America (VOA). In his statement, Trump accused the VOA of harboring an anti-Trump and radical bias. This order, according to a White House announcement, seeks to ensure that American taxpayers are no longer financially supporting what the administration refers to as "radical propaganda."
Established during World War II to combat Nazi propaganda, the Voice of America has evolved into a vital news source used by hundreds of millions of people globally. Despite primarily functioning as a radio service, VOA's reach extends far beyond traditional broadcasting, serving as a significant tool for disseminating information and countering misinformation from adversaries.
Mike Abramowitz, the director of VOA, has publicly expressed concern over the implications of the president's order. He revealed that he, along with virtually all of the 1,300 staff members, has been placed on paid leave, effectively incapacitating VOA's operations. Abramowitz emphasized that this order undermines VOA's essential mission, particularly at a time when nations like Iran, China, and Russia are investing heavily in creating misleading narratives aimed at discrediting the United States.
The executive order specifically targets the US Agency for Global Media (USAGM), the parent organization of VOA. USAGM also funds other non-profit entities, such as Radio Free Europe and Radio Free Asia, which were originally established to counter communism. The directive instructs managers to minimize operations to the bare minimum legally required, raising concerns about the future of independent news reporting.
Reports from CBS, the American news partner of the BBC, indicate that staff members at VOA were informed of these changes through an email from Crystal Thomas, the human resources director at USAGM. Sources revealed that all freelance workers and international contractors were notified that funding was no longer available for their roles. Further emails indicated the termination of federal grants to both Radio Free Asia and Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty.
VOA and its associated networks serve over 400 million listeners worldwide, comparable to the BBC World Service, which receives partial funding from the British government. This broad outreach underscores the significance of VOA in promoting democracy and providing unbiased news to audiences across the globe.
Notably, Elon Musk, a billionaire entrepreneur and advisor to Trump, has publicly advocated for the shutdown of VOA through his social media platform, X. In addition to the changes at VOA, Trump has also made substantial funding cuts to various federal agencies, including those dedicated to preventing homelessness and supporting museums and libraries.
During his first term, Trump frequently criticized the Voice of America and other mainstream media organizations, asserting that they were biased against him. He labeled networks like CNN and MSNBC as corrupt and illegal during a recent speech at the Justice Department, although he did not provide specific evidence to support these claims.
