Voice of America (VOA) has gone silent for the time being, a casualty of President Donald Trump's administration, but there are indications that it may soon resume operations. Reports suggest that VOA could potentially become a platform for one of Trump’s favored propaganda outlets, One America News (OAN). OAN, known for its amateurish style and far-right leanings, gained notoriety for promoting false claims related to Trump’s 2020 election campaign.
Kari Lake, a staunch supporter of Trump and the individual appointed to lead the newly restructured VOA, announced that OAN will provide “newsfeed services” to VOA and other U.S.-funded international broadcasters. In a late-night post on social media platform X, Lake attributed the idea to the Office of Cuba Broadcasting, which is responsible for transmitting Radio Martí into Cuba. She indicated that OAN would offer their newsfeed and video services at no cost, framing it as a beneficial arrangement for taxpayers.
Despite this development, Lake made it clear that she does not currently possess editorial control over VOA. Consequently, the immediate effects of this partnership may be minimal. However, gaining access to OAN's content is perceived as a significant shift toward transforming the Voice of America into what some fear could become the Voice of Trump. Journalists within the organization have expressed concerns over this potential direction.
At present, VOA's networks and websites remain offline, although a small group of employees returned to work on Tuesday. Staff members have reported a prevailing sentiment that Lake aims to revive the network as a mere shadow of its former self. Many believe that the plan is to significantly reduce the workforce while retaining just enough of the organization to appease federal judges who are closely monitoring the shutdown.
Repurposing content from OAN aligns with this strategy, raising alarms among current and former journalists. Patsy Widakuswara and Jessica Jerreat, two sidelined reporters suing the Trump administration over actions against VOA, shared their concerns. They stated, “Congress mandated VOA to report reliable and authoritative news, not to outsource its journalism to outlets aligned with the president’s agenda.” This sentiment reflects a broader worry about the integrity and credibility of VOA’s reporting.
OAN, which launched in 2013, rapidly evolved during Trump’s first term into a platform known for amplifying conspiracy theories and fringe viewpoints, distinguishing itself from other right-leaning networks like Newsmax and Fox News. The network has faced legal challenges, including multiple defamation lawsuits stemming from its on-air assertions regarding the 2020 election. Notably, OAN settled a lawsuit from Smartmatic, a voting technology company, which accused the channel of spreading false information to boost viewership and revenue. Additionally, OAN reached a settlement with a Dominion Voting Systems executive, revealing collaboration with Trump campaign attorney Sidney Powell in disseminating election misinformation.
The future of the Voice of America remains precarious as it navigates these changes under the Trump administration. The potential collaboration with OAN could further compromise the network's integrity and independence. Journalists and advocates for reliable news reporting continue to voice their commitment to fighting for the values enshrined in the VOA Charter, emphasizing the need for credible journalism in an era marked by misinformation.
