President Trump's recent directive to minimize the operations of Voice of America has provoked strong reactions across the media landscape, highlighting fears over journalistic independence amid government influence.**
Trump’s Determined Steps to Dismantle Voice of America Spark Outrage**
Trump’s Determined Steps to Dismantle Voice of America Spark Outrage**
A recent presidential order puts Voice of America’s operations in jeopardy, drawing sharp criticism from journalism advocates and raising concerns about press freedom.**
In a surprising move, U.S. President Donald Trump has signed a directive aimed at drastically reducing the operations of Voice of America (VOA), a prominent federally funded news organization. The president has labelled VOA as “anti-Trump” and “radical,” asserting the need to protect taxpayer interests from what he describes as “radical propaganda.” Established in 1942 during World War II to counteract Nazi and Japanese propaganda, VOA now serves hundreds of millions of global listeners each week.
Following the order, VOA's director, Mike Abramowitz, stated that nearly all of his 1,300 employees are now on paid leave, a decision he believes cripples the organization’s essential mission at a time when adversarial countries like Iran, China, and Russia are actively promoting false narratives to undermine U.S. credibility. The National Press Club, representing U.S. journalists, condemned the order as a direct threat to a free press. They warned that sidelining an entire newsroom signals troubling times for independent journalism.
The order specifically targets VOA's parent organization, the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM), which also oversees entities like Radio Free Europe and Radio Free Asia, created to combat communism. Reports indicate that USAGM is under directives to minimize presence and operations to the bare legally required minimum. Employees received alarming news of immediate funding cuts through emails, indicating a stop to payments for freelance and international contractors.
The Czech Republic’s Foreign Minister, Jan Lipavský, expressed concern over the fate of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty and indicated intentions to seek EU assistance to keep the station operational. Among notable figures, Elon Musk has also publicly supported the shutdown of VOA, bolstering the narrative that mainstream media is biased against the administration.
Trump has a history of critical rhetoric towards VOA and other media outfits. His recent actions, including reducing funding to various federal agencies and appointing loyalists to pivotal roles within USAGM, suggest an ongoing conflict with institutions that challenge his narrative. Voice of America’s charter, established to protect its editorial independence, faces precarious risks as authorities shift political climates within the media landscape.
