The Voice of America (VOA) and other U.S.-funded international broadcasters have been effectively shut down after President Donald Trump signed an executive order reducing funding for their parent agency, the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM).
VOA Director Michael Abramowitz announced on Facebook that he and 1,300 staff members had been placed on leave. As a result, many VOA stations have stopped broadcasting news and switched to music. Even top editors were ordered to stop working, raising concerns that the network might cease news coverage entirely.
USAGM oversees several major networks, including Radio Free Europe, Radio Free Asia, and Middle East Broadcasting Networks. With funding cuts in place, these broadcasters also face an uncertain future. While Trump allies argue that these agencies are outdated and waste taxpayer money, critics warn that shutting them down would weaken U.S. influence and allow countries like China and Russia to dominate global media.
For decades, USAGM’s mission has been to promote freedom and democracy through independent journalism. However, the Trump administration aims to reshape it, appointing conservative media critic Brent Bozell III as the new head of USAGM and former TV anchor Kari Lake to lead VOA. Critics see this as an effort to align the agency’s message with the administration’s policies.
Some Republican lawmakers, including Rep. Young Kim, have condemned the cuts, arguing that they harm America’s global standing. However, others support the move, citing Elon Musk’s claim that these outlets are outdated and waste taxpayer money.
Lake defended the move, saying the agency needs modernization and oversight to regain public trust. However, Abramowitz warned that shutting down VOA at a time when accurate journalism is crucial would weaken America’s ability to counter propaganda from adversaries like China, Russia, and Iran.
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